A 60-year-old headmaster in Oyo State, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, has been abducted by suspected gunmen in Budo Aare, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding ₦30 million for his release.
Owoade, who heads the Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye and is popularly known as “Onaiye,” was said to have been seized on the evening of Saturday, July 10, 2026, while returning home from his farm.
His son, Abiola Owoade, disclosed that the incident occurred between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. He explained that the abductors later contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ₦30 million ransom.
According to him, a search party discovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, raising concerns over his whereabouts.
Abiola 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, codenamed Amotekun, as well as local hunters and vigilante groups, to intensify efforts to secure his father’s safe release.
The incident has reportedly thrown the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government into anxiety, with colleagues of the abducted headmaster expressing concern over his safety.
The abduction comes barely days after security operatives rescued more than 40 pupils and teachers who had spent 55 days in captivity following their abduction from schools in the Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities of the same local government area.
Confirming the latest incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the victim was abducted at his farm in Budo Aare.
He added that police operatives had commenced efforts to rescue the victim unhurt and track down those responsible for the kidnapping.
