Armed men kidnapped the billionaire businessman during a solo prayer session in Anambra State
Unidentified gunmen abducted billionaire Joseph Ezeokafor in early August 2026 during a night prayer session at Ifite Awka in Anambra State. The Jezco Oil founder and father of socialite Jowizaza went to the mountain without his usual security detail before attackers took him away.
Deep shock has gripped Anambra State following the sudden abduction of a prominent business tycoon. Armed men kidnapped Sir Joseph Ezeokafor during the first week of August 2026.
Ezeokafor founded Jezco Oil and the Jezco Group. He is widely known as the father of popular Nigerian socialite Jowizaza. The billionaire normally travels with heavy security but chose to pray alone.
Mountain prayer ambush
Lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu broke the news on social media. He detailed the shocking events in a public post.
”Sir Joseph Eze Okafor, a Nigerian billionaire businessman, the founder of Jezco oil and the Jezco group who is also the father of Nigerian Instagram celebrity Jowizaza, was reportedly kidnapped last week from a bush in Awka , in Anambra state,” Iwuchukwu wrote.
The businessman travelled to Ifite Awka to seek spiritual guidance. He stayed on the mountain throughout the night. He left his police escorts behind for this specific session.
”Apparently, the old man went to the mountain at Ifite Awka, alone to pray and seek the face of God all through the night without his security details and his policemen attached to him as it has been a normal practice for the billionaire business man in the past,” Iwuchukwu explained.
Attackers spotted his vulnerable state during these intense prayers. They quickly captured the oil magnate and fled.
”In the course of the fervent prayers and his vulnerability, he was picked up by an unknown gunmen who took him away to an unknown location,” Iwuchukwu noted.
Community stops major festival
The abduction caused massive ripples across his hometown of Ekwulobia. Local leaders immediately reacted to the grim news. They altered their cultural calendar to honor him.
”The community where he comes from, Ekwulobia, has been thrown into confusion and mourning ever since the news of the abduction broke in the community,” Iwuchukwu shared.
”He is the richest man from the community,” Iwuchukwu added.
Ekwulobia residents decided to pause their annual New Yam Festival. This historic delay highlights his massive local influence.
”To show the significance and the importance of his influence in the community, the community has reportedly postponed their annual New Yam Festival, which has never been done before, because it does not make sense to the community to be celebrating while the family of their illustrious son is in confusion over the abduction of their father,” Iwuchukwu declared.
Friends and family continue to hope for his safe return. Police officers have not yet released an official public statement. Locals remain highly anxious as the search begins.
”It is well with him while we pray for his safe release,” Iwuchukwu concluded.
Gossip Mill Nigeria also shared the alarming development online. The popular blog posted photos of the father and son.
”Breaking News: Billionaire Jowizaza’s father, Joseph Ezeokafor, has reportedly been kidn@pped in Anambra State,” the blog tweeted.
