Gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Budo Aare, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.
The victim, 60-year-old Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening while returning from his farm.
The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the abduction using his father’s mobile phone and demanded N30 million as ransom.
“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.
“However, at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, a search team recovered his motorcycle abandoned in the bush,” he said.
Abiola appealed to the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), hunters, vigilantes and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue his father.
The abduction has sparked concern among the victim’s colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, who described the incident as disturbing.
When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.
“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.
