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 kidnappers, who are demanding a ransom of ₦30 million for his release.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., while the victim was returning home after visiting his farm.
According to his son, Abiola Owoade, the assailants intercepted his father along the route, whisked him away to an unknown destination, and later contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone to demand ₦30 million as ransom.
Hope of tracing the victim received a slight boost on Sunday morning when a search party discovered his abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m., suggesting the route taken by the abductors.
The abduction has thrown the family, colleagues, and the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area into distress, with many calling for urgent intervention by security agencies.
They appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the headmaster safely and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The family also urged members of the public with useful information that could aid the rescue operation to report to the appropriate authorities.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched a rescue operation.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr. Owoade Matthew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” the police spokesperson said.
