GUNMEN ABDUCT OYO HEADMASTER, DEMAND N30M RANSOM

Gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Matthew Kolawale Owoade, demanding N30 million ransom for his release.

The 60-year-old educator, popularly known as “Onaiye”, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening while returning from his farm in the Budo Aare area of the local government.

According to his son, Abiola Owoade, the victim had gone to inspect his farm and was on his way home between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. when armed men intercepted him and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

He said the abductors later contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded N30 million before he would be released.

The family subsequently organised a search for the headmaster, leading to the discovery of his motorcycle at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday. The motorcycle was found abandoned in a nearby bush, but there was no trace of the victim.

The incident has thrown the Igbojaye community and the education sector in Itesiwaju Local Government into anxiety, with family members, colleagues and residents expressing concern over the victim’s safety.

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 unharmed and ensure the arrest of those responsible for the abduction.

The family also called on members of the public to volunteer 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 the command had launched a rescue operation.

“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,” Ayanlade said.

The police spokesperson did not disclose whether any arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report but assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim safely and bring the kidnappers to justice.