Gunmen have kidnapped a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Budo Aare, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victim, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, disappeared on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, while returning from his farm.
His family said the attackers contacted them shortly after the abduction. The kidnappers used Owoade’s mobile phone to demand N30 million for his release.
Owoade’s son, Abiola Owoade, said the gunmen seized his father between 5pm and 6pm.
“My father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare when the incident happened,” he said.
Abiola added that a search team found his father’s motorcycle abandoned in a bush around 8:20am on Sunday, July 12.
The family has appealed to security agencies to rescue the headmaster and arrest the kidnappers.
They urged the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, hunters, vigilantes and other security groups to act quickly.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday.
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said the victim was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mathew Owoade, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare,” Ayanlade said.
He added that security operatives had started efforts to rescue Owoade safely and arrest those behind the attack.
The incident has caused concern among teachers and education workers in Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
Owoade’s colleagues expressed sadness over the abduction and called for his safe return.
The latest incident comes days after security agencies rescued more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo State.
