A 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye”, has been abducted by suspected gunmen.
According to the victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, the headmaster was returning from his farm when he was intercepted and whisked away by the assailants.
Abiola said the kidnappers later contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.
He added that a search team recovered the victim’s abandoned motorcycle in a bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday.
The incident has thrown the family, colleagues and the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area into distress, with calls on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure his release.
They appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant agencies to ensure the headmaster is rescued unharmed.
The family also urged members of the public to provide credible information that could aid security operatives in rescuing the victim.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had commenced efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr Owoade Matthew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” Ayanlade said.