A 60-year-old school headmaster in Oyo State, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, has been abducted by gunmen in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.
Owoade, who heads Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, was reportedly seized on Saturday, July 11, 2026, after leaving his farm in Budo Aare, within the local government area.
Following the abduction, the assailants reportedly contacted the victim’s family and demanded N30 million as a condition for his release.
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The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said efforts to trace his father led to the discovery of his abandoned motorcycle in a bush around 8:20am on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The development has sparked concern among residents of the community, who have urged security agencies to take urgent steps to ensure the safe return of the headmaster.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that rescue efforts had commenced while investigations were underway to identify and apprehend those behind the attack.
The abduction adds to growing security challenges confronting some rural areas of the state, where residents and farmers have continued to face threats from criminal elements.