Gunmen Abduct Oyo Headmaster, Demand N30m Ransom

Suspected gunmen have abducted a 60-year-old Headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Budo Aare, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, and are demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.

The victim was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday, July 11, 2026, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. while returning from his farm in Budo Aare.

Speaking on the incident, the victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, disclosed that the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the abduction using his father’s mobile phone and demanded N30 million before releasing him.

According to him, a search party later recovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a bush around 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12.

“The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm. Shortly after he was kidnapped, the abductors called the family through his phone and demanded N30 million. We later found his motorcycle abandoned in the bush,” he said.

Abiola appealed to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), hunters and local vigilantes, to intensify efforts to rescue his father and secure his safe return.

The abduction has thrown the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government into mourning, with colleagues and residents expressing concern over the increasing insecurity in the area.

The incident comes just days after joint security operatives successfully rescued more than 40 schoolchildren and their teachers who were abducted from three schools in Oyo State and held captive for 56 days.

Confirming the latest incident, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.

“I can confirm that a farmer, Mathew Owoade, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare. Efforts are ongoing to rescue him unharmed and arrest the perpetrators,” the police spokesperson said.