Kidnappers holding Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, chairman of Jezco Group and father of social media personality Jowizaza, have raised their ransom demand to ₦1.5 billion, more than doubling their initial request, as efforts to secure his release continue.
Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian businessman, was abducted in Anambra State about a week ago. The kidnappers had first demanded ₦700 million after making contact with his family, who reportedly agreed to the sum in the hope that payment would guarantee his safe return.
However, the abductors later reneged on the earlier agreement and increased their demand to ₦1.5 billion, throwing the negotiation process into fresh uncertainty.
The family has continued exploring options to reach a settlement, but communication with the kidnappers has since broken down, complicating efforts to secure his freedom. Attempts to re-establish contact have so far failed, leaving relatives increasingly anxious about his safety.
Ezeokafor was reportedly seized in the early hours of Tuesday after leaving his residence for a prayer ground as part of his annual spiritual retreat. He had gone out without his usual security detail, a lapse that reportedly gave the kidnappers the opening they needed to strike and abduct him.
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