Kidnappers Raise Ransom for Jowizaza’s Father to N1.5bn

The kidnappers holding businessman and Jezco Group Chairman, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly increased their ransom demand from N700m to N1.5bn.

Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian businessman and father of Nigerian social media personality Jowizaza, was reportedly abducted in Anambra State about a week ago.

The development has reportedly complicated negotiations between the abductors and the businessman’s family, who had initially been prepared to meet the N700m demand in an effort to secure his release.

According to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to newsmen, the kidnappers initially demanded N700m after establishing contact with the family.

However, the abductors were said to have subsequently raised the demand to N1.5bn, making the family’s efforts to negotiate his release more difficult.

The source also said communication with the kidnappers had broken down, with attempts to re-establish contact reportedly yielding no positive result.

The development has heightened concerns among Ezeokafor’s relatives, who are said to be uncertain about his condition and whereabouts.

### How Ezeokafor was abducted

Ezeokafor was reportedly abducted in the early hours of Tuesday after leaving his residence to attend a prayer ground as part of his annual spiritual retreat.

He was said to have travelled without his usual security personnel at the time.

The businessman was subsequently intercepted and taken away, prompting efforts by his family and security agencies to locate him and secure his release.

The reported increase in the ransom demand has further complicated the situation as the family continues to seek a way to establish contact with the abductors and negotiate Ezeokafor’s safe return.

The incident has also raised fresh concerns about the security of prominent individuals in Anambra State, particularly those travelling without adequate security arrangements.

For the Ezeokafor family, the immediate priority remains securing the safe release of the businessman amid the reported ransom escalation and communication breakdown with his abductors.