Gunmen abduct Oyo headmaster, demand N30m ransom

Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mathew Owoade, and demanded a ransom of N30m to set him free. The 60-year-old teacher and farmer, popularly known as Onaiye, was kidnapped on Saturday evening, between 5pm and 6pm. The incident occurred barely 24 hours after […]

Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mathew Owoade, and demanded a ransom of N30m to set him free.

The 60-year-old teacher and farmer,
popularly known as Onaiye, was kidnapped on Saturday evening, between 5pm and 6pm.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after 46 pupils and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were rescued after spending 56 days in the captivity.

The headmaster’s son, Abiola Owoade, confirmed the incident, saying “It 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.”

The son called on security agencies to intervene and rescue his father.

The Police Spokesperson in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident on Monday.

“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,” he said.