Security Forces Rescue Abducted Oyo Educator

​The Oyo State Police Command has successfully secured the release of 60-year-old Mathew Owoade, a headmaster and farmer who was abducted by gunmen in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.

​Owoade, who serves as the headmaster of the Nomadic Basic School in Ogodu, Igbojaye, was intercepted by armed assailants between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, while returning from his farm along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare bush road .Following the abduction, the kidnappers contacted his family using his mobile phone and initially demanded a ransom of 30 million naira.

​In a statement released on Monday, July 13, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that Owoade regained his freedom on the evening of July 13 following a coordinated joint security operation. According to the police, the intense operational pressure applied by security forces compelled the abductors to abandon the victim.

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​The victim has since been transported to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment. Authorities have stated that he will undergo a debriefing process once he is medically cleared, which will assist ongoing investigations aimed at identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.

​The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, commended the collaborative efforts of security agencies, community members, and local residents who supported the rescue.He reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining security across the state, assuring the public that law enforcement remains dedicated to ensuring that criminal elements find no safe haven in Oyo.