Gunmen abduct Oyo Headmaster, demand N30m ransom

Gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye,” and demanded a ₦30 million ransom for his release.

The 60-year-old educator was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening, July 11, while returning from his farm in the Budo Aare area.

According to his son, Abiola Owoade, the assailants intercepted his father between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. before taking him to an unknown destination.

The kidnappers later contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ₦30 million ransom.

A search party recovered the victim’s abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, raising concerns over his whereabouts.

The incident has thrown the victim’s family, colleagues and the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area into anxiety, with appeals to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to ensure his safe and unconditional release.

Residents have also urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist security agencies in rescuing the abducted headmaster.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend the kidnappers.

“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr. Owoade Mathew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” he said.