Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Ibadan: Kidnapped Oyo headmaster freed, police say

Mr Owoade, headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Ogodu, Igbojaye, was kidnapped by gunmen while working on his farm at about 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

• July 14, 2026
Owoade Mathew
Owoade Mathew

The police command in Oyo state says the kidnapped headmaster, Owoade Mathew, has regained his freedom. He was released on Monday evening.

Mr Owoade was abducted on Saturday by gunmen along the Igbojaye-Budo Bush road.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by Ayanlade Olayinka, the command’s spokesperson.

“Following the immediate deployment of a coordinated joint security operation and sustained investigative efforts by the command, the intense operational pressure mounted on the abductors forced the hoodlums to abandon the victim, who regained his freedom on the evening of 13 July 2026,” he said.

He said the victim has since been taken to a medical facility for evaluation and necessary treatment.

According to him, upon completion of medical attention, investigators will debrief him as part of the ongoing investigation to identify, apprehend, and prosecute the criminals.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers had expressed concern over the abduction of a primary school headmaster in Itesiwaju council area, calling for his immediate rescue.

Mr Owoade, headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Ogodu, Igbojaye, was kidnapped by gunmen while working on his farm at about 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

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