Gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Budo Aare, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.
The victim, 60-year-old Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, was reportedly seized by armed men on Saturday evening while returning from his farm, in yet another incident that has heightened security concerns in parts of Oyo State.
The abduction comes barely two days after the successful rescue of more than 40 pupils and teachers who spent 56 days in captivity following their abduction from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, raising fresh fears over the persistence of kidnapping despite recent security successes.
Investigations revealed that Owoade was kidnapped between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, while travelling home from his farm located in Budo Aare.
According to members of his family, the kidnappers wasted no time in establishing contact after the incident.
The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, disclosed that the abductors called the family using his father’s mobile phone shortly after the kidnapping and demanded N30 million as ransom before they would release him.
He explained that the family was thrown into panic after receiving the call and immediately alerted relevant security agencies while efforts were initiated to trace the whereabouts of the retired educationist.
“The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare within this local government area,” Abiola said.
“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.”
He added that a search party organised by family members and residents later discovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned inside a bush.
According to him, the motorcycle was recovered at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, suggesting that the kidnappers had forced the victim to leave the motorcycle behind before taking him to an unknown destination.
The discovery further heightened anxiety among relatives and members of the community, who have continued to appeal for urgent intervention by security agencies.
Abiola called on the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, as well as local hunters and vigilante groups, to intensify efforts to secure his father’s safe release.
He urged the security agencies to act swiftly to prevent any harm from coming to the abducted headmaster.
“Our appeal is to all security agencies to intervene immediately and rescue our father safely. We are pleading with the Army, the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun, hunters, vigilantes and every relevant authority to help bring him back alive,” he said.
The abduction has generated widespread concern among teachers, education stakeholders and residents of Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
Colleagues of the victim described him as a dedicated educator who had spent decades serving the education sector and expressed shock that he could become a victim of kidnapping.
Members of the local education community also condemned the incident, describing it as another disturbing reminder of the growing insecurity confronting rural communities.
Many residents expressed fears that continued attacks on farmers and educators could discourage farming activities and disrupt educational development in the area.
The latest incident has also revived concerns about the safety of residents in remote communities across Oyo State, particularly following the recent mass abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
On May 15, 2026, gunmen carried out coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, abducting more than 40 pupils and teachers.
The victims regained their freedom on Friday, July 10, 2026, after spending 56 days in captivity, following a coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies.
The successful rescue was widely celebrated across the country and was hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping.
However, the abduction of Owoade only a day later has raised fresh questions about the need for sustained security operations to prevent criminal groups from regrouping and launching new attacks.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the latest kidnapping.
He said the command had commenced efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible for the crime.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mathew Owoade, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are ongoing to rescue him unharmed and arrest the perpetrators,” Ayanlade said.
The police assured residents that tactical teams had been mobilised to the area while investigations into the incident were continuing.
The command also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue operations.
The latest kidnapping adds to growing concerns over attacks on farmers and rural dwellers in several parts of the country, with security experts calling for improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance and stronger collaboration between conventional security agencies and community-based security outfits to tackle the menace of kidnapping and violent crime.
