Gunmen Abduct Oyo School Headmaster, Demand N30 Million Ransom
A wave of concern has gripped residents of Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State following the abduction of the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, by suspected gunmen.
The 60-year-old educationist, popularly known as “Onaiye,” was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening while returning home from his farm in the Budo Aare area of the local government.
According to family sources, the assailants intercepted Mr. Owoade between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
His son, Abiola Owoade, disclosed that the kidnappers later contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.
The search for the headmaster intensified on Sunday morning after volunteers reportedly discovered his abandoned motorcycle hidden inside a bush, raising fears over his safety.
The incident has thrown the education community in Itesiwaju into anxiety, with colleagues, residents and family members calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victim unharmed.
They appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant security agencies to ensure his immediate release and bring those responsible to justice.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had commenced efforts to rescue the victim.
According to him, the victim, identified as Mr. Matthew Owoade, was abducted while on his farm in the Budo Aare area, adding that police operatives are actively working to secure his safe rescue and apprehend the kidnappers.
The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over cases of kidnapping and attacks on rural communities in parts of Oyo State, prompting renewed calls for strengthened security measures to protect residents, particularly farmers and those living in remote areas.
