Gunmen Abduct Oyo Headmaster, Demand ₦30 Million Ransom

A 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye,” has reportedly been abducted by unidentified gunmen.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., while the victim was returning from his farm.

According to his son, Mr. Abiola Owoade, the headmaster was intercepted and whisked away by armed assailants while making his way home from the farm.

Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers allegedly contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ₦30 million ransom for his release.

A search team later recovered Mr. Owoade’s abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, raising further concerns over his whereabouts.

The incident has thrown the family, colleagues, and the entire education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area into distress.

They have appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victim’s immediate and unconditional release.

The family also called on members of the public with useful information to assist security agencies in locating the abducted headmaster.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security operatives had commenced efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.

“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,” Ayanlade said.

The abduction comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, where security agencies have continued operations to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes.