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 reportedly been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.
The incident, according to reports, occurred on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The victim’s son, Mr Abiola Owoade, disclosed that his father was returning from a visit to his farm when armed assailants intercepted and abducted him.
Shortly after the incident, the kidnappers allegedly contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of ₦30 million for his release.
A search team later recovered Mr Owoade’s motorcycle, which was found abandoned in a bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The abduction has caused concern among the victim’s family, colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju LGA, who appealed to security agencies to intervene and ensure his safe and unconditional release.
They called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the headmaster.
Members of the public were also urged to provide useful information that could help secure his return.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “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.”