Gunmen kidnap Oyo headmaster, demand N30m ransom

Gunmen have kidnapped the 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye, Budo Aare, located in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State. The victim, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, also known as Onaiye, is being held for a ransom of N30 million.

Our investigation found that this incident happened on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5pm and 6pm.

Abiola Owoade, the victim’s son, shared, "The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare within this local government area."

He continued, "Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family using my father's mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release."

Abiola added, "At about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, a search team recovered his motorcycle abandoned in the bush."

He has called for help from various security agencies. He said, "I urge 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 my father."

The kidnapping has caused sadness among the victim’s colleagues and members of the education community in the area.

When we reached out for comments, 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."