The people of Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State have suspended their annual New Yam Festival following the reported abduction of one of their prominent sons, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, the owner of Jezco Group of Companies and father of social media celebrity, Jowi Zaza.
The festival, which was scheduled to take place on September 4, 2026, was reportedly put on hold after news of Ezeokafor’s abduction spread through the community.
Ezeokafor was allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday evening after he reportedly stepped out of his residence without his security personnel.
His abduction has reportedly caused tension and sadness in Ekwulobia, with residents and community leaders expressing concern over the safety of the businessman and demanding his safe return.
A source in the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, had officially suspended the New Yam Festival until the businessman was released.
The source said the decision was taken because the community could not proceed with a major cultural celebration while one of its prominent sons remained in the custody of suspected kidnappers.
“The celebration is originally scheduled for September 4th, but shifted due to the abduction of their esteemed son, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, CEO of Jezco Oil.
“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.
The New Yam Festival is one of the major cultural events celebrated by communities across Igboland. The festival marks the beginning of the harvest of new yam and is traditionally used to thank God and celebrate the farming season.
In many communities, the festival also provides an opportunity for families and indigenes living outside their home towns to return, meet relatives, honour traditional institutions and celebrate their cultural heritage.
In Ekwulobia, the annual celebration is expected to attract residents, visitors and indigenes from different parts of Nigeria and abroad. The suspension of the event therefore represents a major development for the community, particularly because the festival is normally held on a fixed date as part of its annual cultural activities.
The decision to suspend the celebration also reflects the seriousness with which the community is treating Ezeokafor’s reported abduction.
Kidnapping has remained a major security concern in parts of the South-East, including Anambra State, where wealthy individuals, business owners, traditional rulers and other members of the public have sometimes been targeted by criminal groups.
The development has also renewed concerns about the safety of prominent individuals who often move with security personnel because of the risk of abduction and other violent crimes.
According to the source, Ezeokafor was without his security men when he was allegedly taken. Details surrounding the circumstances of the incident, including the identity of those responsible and whether any ransom demand has been made, were not immediately clear.
There was also no official statement available from the Anambra State Police Command on the reported abduction at the time of filing this report.
Ezeokafor is a businessman and the owner of Jezco Group of Companies. He is also known as the father of Jowi Zaza, a popular Nigerian social media personality and businessman with a large following online.
News of his alleged abduction has attracted attention because of his status as a prominent businessman and indigene of Ekwulobia.
Community members are expected to continue efforts aimed at securing his release while security agencies investigate the incident.
The suspension of the New Yam Festival means that the community will not hold the planned celebration on September 4 unless the traditional institution later reverses the decision.
For the people of Ekwulobia, the festival is more than an annual social gathering. It is an important part of their culture and provides an avenue for the community to come together in celebration.
However, the traditional institution is said to have decided that the community must first address the current security concern before returning to celebration.
The reported abduction has therefore turned what should have been a period of preparation for a major cultural event into one of anxiety and mourning for the people of Ekwulobia.