Gunmen have abducted 60-year-old Kolawale Mathew Owoade, headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, Oyo State, with kidnappers demanding N30 million for his release.
According to the victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, the incident occurred on Saturday evening between 5 pm and 6 pm as his father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare. Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a N30 million ransom.
A search team recovered Owoade’s motorcycle abandoned in the bush on Sunday morning. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident, stating that efforts are ongoing to rescue the man unharmed and arrest the perpetrators. Family members have appealed to security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC and Amotekun to intervene.
Key Points:
Families face heightened insecurity and financial strain from ransom demands.
Education sector workers increasingly targeted, undermining school community safety.
Kidnappers profit while victims’ families bear emotional and economic burdens.
Incident signals deteriorating security in Oyo farming communities.
Timing follows recent rescue of abducted pupils, highlighting persistent insecurity.
Security agencies’ response and rescue efforts will determine public confidence in tackling kidnapping, while the family awaits further contact from abductors.
Sources: Vanguard, Punch
