Gunmen abduct Oyo headmaster, demand N30m ransom

Gunmen have kidnapped a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Budo Aare, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.

 

The victim, identified as Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, was abducted on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, while returning from his farm in the area.

 

His son, Abiola Owoade, who confirmed the incident, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the abduction using the victim’s phone and demanded the ransom.

 

He said, “The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare within this local government area.

 

“Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.”

 

According to him, a search team on Sunday morning recovered his father’s motorcycle abandoned in a bush around the area.

 

Abiola appealed to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, hunters and vigilantes, to intensify efforts towards securing his father’s release.

 

The abduction comes days after joint security agencies rescued more than 40 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

 

The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over security challenges in the state, with members of the education community expressing sadness over the kidnapping of the headmaster.

 

Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.

 

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