AWKA, Anambra State – Concern has spread across Anambra State following reports that billionaire businessman Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group and father of popular social media personality Jowizaza, has allegedly been abducted by unidentified gunmen.
The reported incident is said to have occurred sometime last week in the Awka area of Anambra State while Ezeokafor was reportedly at a mountain for prayers.
The information was made public by lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu in a Facebook post on Sunday. However, details surrounding the reported abduction, including the exact circumstances of the incident and the whereabouts of the businessman, remain limited.
According to Iwuchukwu, Ezeokafor had reportedly gone to the mountain alone for an overnight prayer session without the security personnel and police officers who usually accompanied him.
It was during the prayer session that unidentified gunmen allegedly approached the businessman and took him away to an unknown destination.
The lawyer’s account has generated widespread concern among residents, business associates and members of the public, particularly because of Ezeokafor’s prominent position in the business community.
Community reportedly suspends New Yam Festival
The reported incident has also had an emotional impact on Ezeokafor’s hometown, Ekwulobia, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Iwuchukwu said the community was thrown into confusion and mourning following news of the alleged kidnapping.
He described Ezeokafor as one of the community’s most prominent sons and said residents were deeply concerned about his safety.
One of the developments reportedly linked to the incident is the postponement of the community’s annual New Yam Festival.
According to the lawyer, the festival was postponed because community members considered it inappropriate to proceed with the celebration while the family of a prominent member of the community was facing the uncertainty surrounding his reported abduction.
The reported decision has attracted attention because the festival was said to have continued annually without such a postponement in the past.
The development has further highlighted the level of concern reportedly generated by the businessman’s disappearance.
Who is Joseph Ezeokafor?
Ezeokafor is known as a major businessman with interests associated with the Jezco Oil and Jezco Group businesses.
He is also widely recognised in Nigerian social media circles as the father of Jowizaza, a popular Instagram personality known for his affluent lifestyle and appearances within Nigeria’s celebrity and entertainment scene.
Because of the family’s public profile and Ezeokafor’s business standing, reports of his alleged abduction quickly spread across social media and attracted significant attention.
However, the circumstances surrounding the case have not been fully established publicly.
Security concerns in Anambra
The reported incident comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in parts of South-East Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom and attacks by armed groups have remained major concerns for residents and business owners.
The circumstances described in the report have also raised questions about the vulnerability of prominent individuals who move without their usual security arrangements.
Iwuchukwu alleged that Ezeokafor normally had security personnel and police officers attached to him but had gone to the mountain without them on the occasion of the reported incident.
DGR News understands that the circumstances surrounding the reported disappearance require confirmation from relevant security authorities before definitive conclusions can be reached.
As of the latest information available, there has been no publicly confirmed account detailing the identity of the alleged abductors, their demands or whether contact has been established with the family.
There is also no verified public information confirming whether a ransom demand has been made.
Family and community await information
The uncertainty has reportedly left relatives, friends and members of Ekwulobia community waiting for information about Ezeokafor’s condition and whereabouts.
For residents of the community, the reported abduction has gone beyond the disappearance of a wealthy businessman, with many viewing it as a deeply troubling development involving one of the area’s most influential figures.
Iwuchukwu appealed for prayers for the safe return of the businessman, expressing hope that Ezeokafor would return safely to his family.
Meanwhile, the reported case is expected to draw the attention of security authorities as efforts continue to establish what happened and determine the whereabouts of the businessman.
Wifey News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as verified information becomes available.
