Billionaire Anambra oil magnate, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, has been released from the den of kidnappers alongside reverend sister.

Abducted by the hoodlums 11 days ago, the Chairman of Jezco Group of Companies was released at midnight on Friday and was picked up by a family member at Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area.

The 72-year-old businessman is the father of social media personality, Jowizaza.

His release from the kidnapper’s den was announced on Saturday morning by a source close to the family before the police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga came up with the command’s statement.

Ikenga, in the said statement, announced that Ezeokafor and a reverend sister, whose identity was not disclosed, were abducted by some armed men at Ifite-Awka on their way to the prayer ground.

According to the Command, the two victims had safely returned, while security agencies were taking steps to establish the circumstances surrounding their release and gather information that could help the ongoing investigation.

Ezeokafor’s release has thrown his Ekwulobia community in Aguata into frenzy, as some of the residents continue to blame security operatives in the state for his abduction.

“Thank God, the septuagenarian is free at last,” one of them said.

Another source close to the family said Ezeokafor was picked up by a family member in Ebenebe, describing the area as an emerging spot for kidnapping.

The source further revealed that several abductions had either occurred there or victims abducted elsewhere taken to the area, “yet, the security operatives keep dancing in the sun.”

It was reported on Friday that the hoodlums had raised the amount from N700 million to N1.5 billion when it was reported that Ezeokafor’s family was ready to pay the earlier amount.

It was not clear whether any ransom was eventually paid before his release, although The Nation gathered from a close family source that ransom was paid.