The kidnappers of the chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly increased their ransom demand from N700 million to N1.5 billion for his release.
A source familiar with the development said the abductors had initially demanded N700 million, a sum the victim’s family reportedly agreed to pay as part of efforts to secure his freedom.
However, the kidnappers later raised their demand to N1.5 billion.
The source said the family remained willing to negotiate with the abductors but that the kidnappers had subsequently stopped communicating with them.
Efforts by the family to re-establish contact with the kidnappers have reportedly failed, leaving them in a difficult situation.
Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian businessman, was reportedly abducted at about 2am on Tuesday after leaving his residence for a prayer ground as part of his annual spiritual rejuvenation.
He was said to have left his security details behind when he stepped out, a situation that allegedly gave the kidnappers an opportunity to abduct him.
One week after the incident, there has been no official statement from the Anambra State Police Command or the state government regarding the businessman’s abduction.
The continued silence has heightened concerns over Ezeokafor’s safety as his family struggles to re-establish communication with his abductors.
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