The kidnappers holding Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, Chairman of Jezco Group, have reportedly increased their ransom demand from N700 million to N1.5 billion, according to a report by Arise TV.
Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian businessman, was reportedly abducted in the early hours of Tuesday while travelling to a prayer ground as part of his annual spiritual retreat.
A source familiar with the situation told Arise TV that the abductors initially demanded N700 million in exchange for the businessman’s release. The family was said to have been willing to negotiate with the kidnappers in a bid to secure his safe return.
However, the situation reportedly took a more troubling turn after the abductors allegedly raised the demand to N1.5 billion.
The sharp increase has reportedly made negotiations more difficult, while communication between the kidnappers and the family has also broken down. According to the source, efforts by the family to re-establish contact with the abductors have so far been unsuccessful.
Ezeokafor was reportedly travelling without his security personnel after leaving his residence at about 2 a.m. The circumstances surrounding his movement at that hour have heightened concerns over how the abduction occurred.
The reported kidnapping has sparked anxiety among members of Ezeokafor’s family, business associates and residents of the community, with growing calls for urgent efforts to secure his safe release.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command and the state government had not publicly issued a statement confirming the reported abduction or providing details of any ongoing rescue operation.
The whereabouts of the Jezco Group chairman remain unclear, while details of efforts by security agencies to locate him and secure his release have yet to be made public.
The reported development has renewed concerns over the security of prominent individuals travelling without adequate protection, particularly during late-night and early-morning movements.
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Authorities are expected to provide further information as efforts to establish Ezeokafor’s whereabouts and ensure his safe return continue.
