Gunmen abduct Oyo headmaster Kolawale Owoade, demand ransom

Gunmen have kidnapped a 60-year-old headmaster, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State and demanded N30 million for his release.

Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, is the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye, Budo Aare.

He was abducted between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday while returning from his farm in the Budo Aare area.

His son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the attack using his father’s mobile phone.

According to him, the abductors demanded N30 million before they would release the victim.

A search team later discovered Owoade’s abandoned motorcycle inside a bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday.

Abiola appealed to the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, hunters and local vigilantes to help rescue his father.

He expressed concern for the headmaster’s safety and urged security agencies to act quickly before the situation worsened.

Owoade’s colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju also expressed shock over the abduction.

Oyo State Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed the incident on Monday.

Ayanlade described the victim as a farmer and said security operatives had begun efforts to rescue him unharmed and arrest those responsible.

The abduction comes amid renewed concerns over kidnapping and attacks on residents in parts of Oyo State.

It also occurred one day after security agencies rescued more than 40 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in the state in May.

The victims were freed unharmed on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity.