The chairman of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Sir Joseph Ebere Ezeokafor, and father of popular social media personality, Jowi Zaza, has regained freedom after days in captivity.
Anambra State Police Command, Saturday, confirmed the release of Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian and a Rev Sister who were abducted by armed at Ifite-Awka in the early hours of Tuesday while reportedly on his way to a prayer ground in Awka, Anambra State.
He was released late on Friday night and subsequently picked up by a family member near the boundary between Anambra and Enugu states, close to Ebenebe, near Awka.
According to the police, the two victims had safely returned, while security agencies were taking steps to establish the circumstances surrounding their release and gather information that could assist ongoing investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the safe return of the victims and directed intensified intelligence-led operations and a manhunt for those responsible for the abduction.
The police said the operation involves the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Agunechemba security operatives and other relevant security agencies.
The Command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in apprehending the perpetrators.
A close family member, who confirmed the development, said the family were happy over his release.
“Thank God, the septuagenarian is free at last,” the source said.
Another source familiar with the development said Ezeokafor was picked up by a family member in Ebenebe.
The source described the area as an emerging kidnapping location in the axis, alleging that several abductions had either occurred there, adding that victims abducted elsewhere were also taken to the place.
The businessman’s abduction had generated widespread concern across Anambra State and beyond, with security agencies coming under pressure to secure his release.
The development also came amid reports that the abductors had established contact with Ezeokafor’s family and initially demanded N700 million in ransom before allegedly raising the demand to N1.5 billion.
It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances surrounding the victim’s release.
Ezeokafor is the founder of Jezco Oil and Lubricants, which he established in 1980 and subsequently expanded into other areas of manufacturing and businesses.
He is well known in Anambra’s business community, while his son, Jowi Zaza, has a significant following on social media.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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