By Ayo Kehinde
Gunmen have struck in Oyo state again barely 24 hours after the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the State.
A 60-year-old headmaster is the victim and the anductors are demanding a ransom of ₦30 million for his release.
Mr Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye”, is the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.
Owoade was abducted on Saturday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. while returning from his farm in Budo Aare, where he had gone to attend to his agricultural activities.
According to his son, Mr Abiola Owoade, the assailants intercepted the veteran educationist on his way home, whisked him away to an unknown destination and later contacted the family using his mobile phone to demand ₦30 million ransom.
The family’s anxiety deepened on Sunday morning when a search team recovered the victim’s motorcycle, abandoned in a bush at about 8:20 a.m., with no sign of the abducted headmaster.
The incident has thrown the Igbojaye community and the entire Itesiwaju Local Government Area into anxiety, with colleagues, residents and family members describing Owoade as a dedicated educator who has devoted decades to teaching children in underserved communities.
The family appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to intensify efforts to secure his immediate and unconditional release.
They also called on members of the public with credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the abductors to come forward.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the Command had commenced efforts to rescue the victim.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr Owoade Matthew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator”, Ayanlade said.
The latest kidnapping comes barely a day after President Bola Tinubu announced the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area after 56 days in captivity.
The President had commended the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for carrying out an intelligence-led operation that secured the victims’ freedom without collateral damage. He also disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested while several others were neutralised during the operation.
The fresh abduction has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Oyo State, particularly in rural communities where farmers, teachers and other residents have increasingly become targets of kidnappers.
Stakeholders have urged the Federal and Oyo State governments to strengthen security around vulnerable communities and educational institutions to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.
