Gunmen abduct Oyo headmaster, demand N30m

Gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.

The victim, 60-year-old Kolawale Mathew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening while returning from his farm in Budo Aare.

His son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the abduction using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded N30 million.

He added that a search party later recovered the headmaster’s abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush on Sunday morning.

Abiola appealed to the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, local hunters and vigilantes to intensify efforts to rescue his father.

The incident comes days after security agencies rescued more than 40 pupils and teachers who spent 56 days in captivity following their abduction from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said the victim was kidnapped while on his farm and assured that efforts were underway to secure his release and apprehend those responsible.