How Gunmen Kidnap Oyo Headmaster Days After Pupils’ Rescue

Gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Budo Aare, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, 60-year-old Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, and are demanding N30 million for his release.

The abduction reportedly occurred on Saturday evening while the victim was returning from his farm in Budo Aare.

Speaking on Monday, the victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the incident using his father’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million.

“The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare within this local government area.

“Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.

“However, at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, a search team recovered his motorcycle abandoned in the bush,” he said.

Abiola appealed to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and others to intensify efforts to rescue his father.

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.

The latest incident comes days after more than 40 schoolchildren and their teachers, who were abducted during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oyo State, regained their freedom following a joint security operation.