Gunmen Abduct Oyo Headmaster, Demand ₦30m Ransom

Gunmen have reportedly abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, and are demanding ₦30 million for his release.

The 60-year-old educator was said to have been kidnapped on Saturday, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., while returning home from his farm in Budo Aare.

His son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the incident using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of ₦30 million.

He added that a search party later recovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12.

The latest incident comes barely days after more than 40 pupils and teachers, who were abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following a joint security operation.

Abiola appealed to the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, hunters, vigilantes and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue his father safely.

The abduction has also drawn concern from the victim’s colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, who described the incident as disturbing.

Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Command said efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can confirm that Mathew Owoade was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare. Efforts are ongoing to rescue him unharmed and arrest the perpetrators.”