Prominent Nigerian businessman and founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, has been abducted in Anambra State.
Ezeokafor, a native of Ekwulobia and father of social media personality Jowizaza, was reportedly kidnapped while praying alone on a mountain in Awka, the state capital.
The incident was made public by Nigerian lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu in a post on social media on Sunday, August 10, 2026.
According to Iwuchukwu, the billionaire had gone to the mountain for prayers without his usual security detail and police escorts attached to him.
He said the suspected kidnappers whisked him away during the prayer session and moved him to an undisclosed location.
—Community in Shock, Festival Postponed—
News of the abduction has thrown Ekwulobia, Ezeokafor’s hometown, into worry and mourning.
In a rare move, community leaders have postponed the annual Ekwulobia New Yam Festival— an event that has never been suspended before — in solidarity with the family and in protest of the rising insecurity.
Residents say the mood in the town has been tense since word of the abduction spread, with many calling on security agencies to secure his release.
—Who is Joseph Ezeokafor?—
Ezeokafor is regarded as one of the most prominent businessmen from Ekwulobia. Through Jezco Oil and Jezco Group, he has investments in oil, energy, and other sectors, and is known for philanthropy in Anambra and beyond.
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the Anambra State Police Command on the abduction. The family has also not released any public comment.
The abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity in the South-East, with kidnappings increasingly targeting high-profile individuals and community leaders.
Authorities have yet to confirm if contact has been made with the kidnappers or if a ransom has been demanded.
