By Peace Udugba
Gunmen Abduct Oyo School Headmaster, Demand N30 Million Ransom
By The Daily Torch Media
Fresh fears have gripped residents of Oyo State following the abduction of the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area by suspected gunmen who are demanding a ₦30 million ransom for his release.
The incident comes just days after the release of pupils, teachers and a principal who were kidnapped from a school in Oriire Local Government Area, raising renewed concerns over insecurity in the state.
The victim, Mr. Kolawale Mathew Owoade, 60, was reportedly abducted on Saturday evening while returning from his farm in Budo Aare.
Speaking on the incident, the victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the abduction using his father’s mobile phone and demanded ₦30 million for his release.
“The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm in Budo Aare. Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family using his mobile phone and demanded a ransom of ₦30 million,” he said.
Abiola disclosed that a search party recovered his father’s abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush on Sunday morning.
“At about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, a search team recovered his motorcycle abandoned in the bush,” he added.
He 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 safely.
The abduction has sparked concern among educators and residents of Itesiwaju Local Government Area, who described the incident as another disturbing attack on the education community.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security operatives 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,” Ayanlade said.
The latest abduction has heightened anxiety among residents, with many calling for stronger security measures to curb the growing wave of kidnappings in parts of Oyo State.
