Kolawale Mathew Owoade, a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye, Budo Aare, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, was allegedly kidnapped by gunmen on the evening of Saturday, July 11, 2026.
According to the victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, the abduction occurred between 5:00pm and 6:00pm as his father was returning from his farm within the community. Shortly after, the kidnappers contacted the family using Owoade’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.
A search by relatives and local residents recovered the headmaster’s motorcycle abandoned in the bush at about 8:20am on Sunday, July 12.
The discovery raised concerns among villagers and colleagues, who described news of the abduction as distressing.
Abiola appealed to security agencies to intervene, urging the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), local hunters, and vigilante groups to assist in locating and rescuing his father.
Members of the education community in Itesiwaju LGA also expressed sadness and called for urgent action to ensure Owoade’s safe return.
Investigations are ongoing and security operatives have been asked to provide updates as they work to trace the kidnappers and recover the headmaster.