A 60-year-old headmaster, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, has been abducted by suspected gunmen in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding ₦30 million ransom for his release.

The victim, who serves as the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Budo Aare, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening while returning from his farm in the Budo Aare area.

According to his son, Abiola Owoade, the incident occurred between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on July 11, 2026. He disclosed that shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family through the victim’s mobile phone and demanded ₦30 million.

Abiola further revealed that a search party later recovered his father's motorcycle abandoned in a bush around 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, raising concerns over his safety and whereabouts.

The family has appealed to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and vigilante groups, to intensify efforts to secure Owoade’s safe release.

The abduction has sparked concern among residents and members of the education community in the local government area, who described the incident as disturbing and called for urgent action.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the victim was abducted while working on his farm in Budo Aare.

“We are aware of the incident. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Ayanlade stated.

The latest abduction adds to growing security concerns in parts of Oyo State, despite recent successes by security operatives in rescuing victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Security agencies have continued investigations while intensifying search operations aimed at rescuing the headmaster and apprehending those responsible for the crime.