Gunmen have allegedly kidnapped the 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Budo Aare, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, and demanded a ransom of N30m for his release.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the incident occurred on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5pm and 6pm.

The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said, “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.

The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers, who were abducted during a coordinated attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, were rescued unharmed by joint security agencies on Friday, July 10, 2026, 56 days after their abduction.

Abiola Owoade called on the “Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, hunters, vigilantes and other security agencies to intervene and rescue his father.”

The victim’s colleagues and members of the education community in the local government also expressed sadness over the incident.

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident on Monday.

The police spokesperson said, “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.” (PUNCH)

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