Suspected gunmen have abducted a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, demanding a ₦30 million ransom for his release.
The victim, Mr. Owoade Matthew Kolawale, popularly known as “Onaiye,” was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. while returning from a visit to his farm.
According to his son, Mr. Owoade Abiola, the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the abduction using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded ₦30 million before they would release him.
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Abiola said the family has been thrown into distress by the incident and appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue his father unhurt.
At about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, a search team recovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a nearby bush, raising fears over his whereabouts.
The abduction has sparked anxiety among the victim’s family, colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, who described the incident as devastating.
They appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the headmaster.
The family also called on members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist security agencies in locating and rescuing the victim.
Residents of the area have been urged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activities to the nearest security agency as efforts continue to secure Kolawale’s safe return.
