A businessman and Chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, who was kidnapped alongside a reverend sister by yet-to-be-identified gunmen at Ifite-Awka, Awka South LGA of Anambra State, have been released and has safely returned.

It was gathered that they were released in the early hours of Saturday after being kidnapped and spending several days in captivity under unknown circumstances.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that the command is currently taking necessary steps to establish the circumstances surrounding their abduction and release.

Ikenga said the command is currently taking necessary steps to establish the circumstances surrounding their release and obtain relevant information that will assist ongoing investigations and the identification of the perpetrators.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command confirms that Chief J.J. Ezeokafor and a Rev. Sister, who armed criminals earlier abducted at Ifite-Awka, have been released and have safely returned.

“The Command is currently taking necessary steps to establish the circumstances surrounding their release and obtain relevant information that will assist ongoing investigations and identification of the perpetrators.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, while commending the safe return of the victims, further directs intensified intelligence-led operations and manhunt for those responsible for the abduction.”

According to him, the ongoing operation involves the police, and other relevant security agencies.

“The Command appreciates members of the public for their support and cooperation and urges them to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in apprehending the perpetrators,” he added.

Although Ikenga did not disclose whether ransom was paid, he added that the police were obtaining relevant information to assist ongoing investigations and the identification of the perpetrators.

However, a close source within the family said Ezeokafor and the reverend sister were picked up by a family member in the Ebenebe area, near the Anambra-Enugu state border, which was said to be the new kidnapping camp in the axis, as several kidnappings have either occurred there or people kidnapped from other locations have been taken there.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had disclosed that the kidnappers established contact with the family of the businessman two days after his abduction and started making negotiations on the ransom payment.

According to the source, “The family paid ₦1.5 billion for his release. The kidnappers initially demanded N700 million, a figure which the victim’s family had accepted as part of efforts to secure their father’s release.

“However, sensing some feelings that there may be more money, the kidnappers subsequently raised their demand to N1.5 billion, after which they stopped further engagement with the family until their release on Saturday.”

It was gathered that the development had left the family in a difficult position, with some siblings trading blames over the circumstances that led to their father’s kidnap.

The latest revelation had also attracted considerable concern among the businessman’s associates and members of the community.