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,” with the kidnappers reportedly demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.
The 60-year-old educationist was allegedly abducted on Saturday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. while returning from his farm.
According to his son, Mr. Abiola Owoade, the victim was on his way home after visiting his farm when he was intercepted and taken away by armed men.
He said the abductors later contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded N30 million as ransom for his release.
At about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, a search party recovered the victim’s motorcycle, which had been abandoned in a bush, raising further concerns over his whereabouts.
The incident has thrown the family, colleagues and the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area into anxiety, with calls on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the headmaster’s safe release.
The family 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 act swiftly in rescuing the victim unhurt.
They also urged members of the public to provide any credible information that could assist security operatives in locating and rescuing him.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had commenced efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr. Owoade Matthew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” Ayanlade said.
The latest abduction comes amid renewed security concerns in parts of Oyo State despite recent successes by security agencies in rescuing victims of kidnapping. Stakeholders have continued to call for intensified surveillance, improved intelligence gathering and stronger security presence in rural communities, where farmers and residents remain vulnerable to attacks by criminal elements.
