EKWULOBIA — Apprehension has gripped residents of Ekwulobia and neighboring communities in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State following unverified reports making the rounds that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jezco Oil and Gas, Chief Sir J.J. Ezeokafor, was abducted on Tuesday evening.
The rumor, which spread rapidly across social media platforms and local messaging groups, claimed that armed gunmen targeted the prominent industrialist during a late-evening outing. However, security agencies and representatives of the Jezco Group have not issued any official statement confirming or denying the development.
Efforts to reach the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, for clarification were not immediately successful as calls and messages sent to his line remained unanswered at the time of filing this report. A senior community leader in Ekwulobia, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, urged the public to treat the information with caution, noting that social media reports in the area often create unnecessary panic before verified facts emerge.
The community source emphasized that while tension remains high due to the industrialist’s prominent status across Anambra and beyond, no independent confirmation exists to verify whether Chief Ezeokafor was actually picked up or if the report is merely a rumor, adding that residents are awaiting official communication from the police or the family.
Ekwulobia, the commercial hub of Aguata Local Government Area, has faced persistent security challenges in recent years, with recurring cases of armed attacks, kidnap-for-ransom operations, and violent clashes leaving many business owners and residents in heightened fear. In light of the recent scare, local community members are calling on the Anambra State Government and security agencies to step up patrols and intelligence operations across Aguata and surrounding areas to restore public confidence.
