“Anambra Billionaire Joseph Ezeokafor Reportedly Kidnapped While Praying In Awka” — Community Said To Have Postponed New Yam Festival Over Abduction

Anambra billionaire businessman and founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group, Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, has reportedly been kidnapped in Anambra State.

Ezeokafor, who is also the father of Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Jowizaza, was allegedly abducted last week while praying on a mountain in Awka.

The reported abduction was disclosed by lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu in a Facebook post on Sunday.

According to Iwuchukwu, the businessman had gone to the mountain alone to pray and seek the face of God without his security details or the police personnel usually attached to him.

He alleged that Ezeokafor was vulnerable during the prayer session when unidentified gunmen seized him and took him to an unknown destination.

“Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, a Nigerian billionaire businessman, the founder of Jezco Oil and the Jezco Group, who is also the father of Nigerian Instagram celebrity Jowizaza, was reportedly kidnapped last week from a bush in Awka, in Anambra State,” Iwuchukwu wrote.

He added that the businessman’s abduction had thrown his community, Ekwulobia, into confusion and mourning.

Iwuchukwu described Ezeokafor as one of the most prominent sons of the community, noting that his reported abduction had caused deep concern among residents and kinsmen.

He further claimed that the community’s annual New Yam Festival, which he said had never been postponed before, was put on hold because residents felt it would be inappropriate to celebrate while the family of their illustrious son was dealing with the alleged kidnapping.

“The community where he comes from, Ekwulobia, has been thrown into confusion and mourning ever since the news of the abduction broke in the community,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Anambra State Police Command confirming the incident or giving details of any rescue operation.

The reported abduction comes amid continued security concerns in parts of the South-East, where incidents of kidnapping and attacks by armed men have remained a source of anxiety for residents and business owners.