Oyo headmaster abducted, N30 million ransom demanded

A 60-year-old headmaster was abducted by gunmen in Oyo State over the weekend, with his captors demanding a 30 million naira ransom for his release. Kolawale Mathew Owoade, the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye, Budo Aare, was kidnapped on the evening of Saturday, July 11, while returning from his farm in the Budo Aare area of Itesiwaju Local Government Area.

The victim's son, Abiola Owoade, stated that the abduction occurred between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. He said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly afterward using his father's mobile phone to issue the ransom demand. A search team discovered Owoade's abandoned motorcycle in a bush at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12.

Abiola Owoade has publicly appealed for help, calling on the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the regional security outfit Amotekun, as well as local hunters and vigilantes to assist in rescuing his father. He expressed urgent concern for his father's safety and pleaded for swift action. Colleagues and members of the local education community have also expressed shock and sadness over the incident.