Kidnappers Demand ₦1.5bn for Release of Jezco Group Chairman

Kidnappers reportedly increased Joseph Ezeokafor’s ransom demand to ₦1.5 billion.
The family had initially agreed to pay the earlier ₦700 million demand.
Communication with the abductors has reportedly broken down, delaying

The kidnappers holding the chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly increased their ransom demand to ₦1.5 billion as efforts continue to secure the businessman’s release.

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

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the latest development followed an earlier ransom demand of ₦700 million made by the kidnappers after they established contact with the businessman’s family.

A source familiar with the situation told Daily Post that the family initially agreed to the ₦700 million demand in the hope that the payment would secure Ezeokafor’s safe release.

However, the abductors later changed their demand and increased the ransom to ₦1.5 billion.

The family has reportedly continued to explore options for negotiating with the kidnappers and securing the businessman’s freedom.

However, communication between both sides was said to have broken down, further complicating efforts to resolve the situation.

Efforts to restore contact with the abductors have reportedly yielded no result, leaving relatives increasingly concerned about the businessman’s safety.

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

He was said to have gone out without his regular security personnel.

The decision to leave his security team behind reportedly created an opportunity for the kidnappers to attack and abduct him.