The kidnappers of the Chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly raised their ransom demand from N700 million to N1.5 billion, deepening fears over the fate of the septuagenarian businessman.
The abductors, who initially demanded N700 million from the family, were said to have later increased the ransom by more than 100 per cent after establishing contact with Ezeokafor’s relatives.
A source familiar with the development disclosed on Wednesday that the family had initially agreed to the N700 million demand as part of efforts to secure the businessman’s safe release.
However, the kidnappers reportedly changed their demand to N1.5 billion, a development that has complicated negotiations and heightened anxiety among members of the family.
The source said although the family remained prepared to negotiate, the abductors had subsequently stopped communicating with them.
“The family has been willing to negotiate and do whatever is necessary to secure his release, but the kidnappers have suddenly stopped communicating,” the source said.
The breakdown in communication has reportedly left the family in a precarious position, with attempts to re-establish contact with the abductors said to have yielded no result.
Ezeokafor, a prominent businessman in Anambra State, was abducted about a week ago after he reportedly left his residence in the early hours of Tuesday for a prayer ground as part of his annual spiritual rejuvenation.
He was said to have left his security personnel behind before embarking on the trip, apparently exposing him to the kidnappers who reportedly intercepted him at about 2am.
The incident has generated concern among residents and business associates, particularly against the backdrop of persistent kidnapping incidents in parts of the South-East.
However, seven days after the businessman was abducted, there has been no public statement from the Anambra State Police Command concerning the incident.
The state government has also reportedly remained silent on the matter, fuelling questions over the security response to the abduction of one of the state’s prominent businessmen.
The family is said to be facing increasing pressure as the ransom demand continues to rise while communication with the abductors remains suspended.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Anambra State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The whereabouts and condition of the businessman remain unknown.