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Fresh concerns over insecurity in Oyo State have emerged following the abduction of a 60-year-old headmaster, Owoade Matthew Kolawale, of Nomadic Basic School, Ogodu, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, with his abductors demanding a ₦30 million ransom for his release.
The incident comes just days after the successful rescue of teachers and pupils who were abducted from schools in neighbouring Oriire Local Government Area, raising renewed fears among education stakeholders over the safety of teachers in the state.
Kolawale was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. while returning from his farm at Budo Aare in Itesiwaju LGA.
According to his son, Mr Owoade Abiola, suspected gunmen intercepted his father and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
He said the kidnappers later contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of ₦30 million.
A search party reportedly discovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, heightening fears over his safety.
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Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Itesiwaju Local Government, Mrs Fabiyi Folashade, had raised the alarm over the abduction, describing it as a disturbing development for teachers and residents in the area.
She prayed for the victim’s safe return and called for divine intervention amid the worsening security situation.
The incident has thrown the education community in Itesiwaju into anxiety, with family members, colleagues, and residents urging 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 rescue the headmaster unhurt and bring those responsible to justice.
They also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in the ongoing rescue operation while urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security operatives had commenced an investigation and were working to apprehend the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the abducted headmaster.
