Barely days after the rescue of abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, suspected kidnappers have struck again, abducting the Headmaster of Nomadic Basic School (NBS), Ogodu, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
The victim, 60-year-old Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye”, was reportedly abducted around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday while returning from his farm at Budo Aare.
According to his son, Mr. Abiola Owoade, the gunmen intercepted and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Itesiwaju Local Government, Mrs. Folashade Fabiyi, said the headmaster was abducted by unidentified gunmen.
“The Headmaster of Nomadic Basic School (NBS), Ogodu, Igbojaye, Mr. M.K. Owoade, was kidnapped yesterday,” she said.
The victim’s family disclosed that the kidnappers later contacted them through Owoade’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release. The family also said a search party recovered his abandoned motorcycle in a bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday.
DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the headmaster and apprehend those behind the abduction.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family, colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju have appealed to the police, 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 urged members of the public to volunteer any useful information that could aid the rescue operation.
The successful rescue of teachers and pupils kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area had raised hopes of improved security in Oyo State. However, the latest abduction is likely to renew concerns over the safety of teachers, pupils and other residents, particularly in communities vulnerable to attacks by kidnappers.
Credit: newspeakonline.com
