Gunmen Kidnap Oyo School Headmaster, Demand ₦30m Ransom

A 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye”, has been abducted by suspected gunmen, with his captors reportedly demanding a ₦30 million ransom.

The headmaster was said to have been kidnapped on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

According to his son, Abiola Owoade, the victim was returning from his farm when he was ambushed and taken away by the armed men.

He said the kidnappers later contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded ₦30 million before he would be released.

A search team reportedly recovered Mr Owoade’s motorcycle, which had been abandoned in a nearby bush, at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

The abduction has left the victim’s family, colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area deeply worried.

They 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 intensify efforts to rescue the headmaster and ensure his safe and unconditional release.

The family also urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist security agencies in locating the victim.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr Owoade Mathew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator.”

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