Fresh fears in Oyo as gunmen kidnap school headmaster
A 60-year-old school headmaster, Matthew Owoade, has been kidnapped by gunmen in Oyo State, Nigeria. The incident has sparked renewed concerns regarding the safety of educators and rural residents following a recent wave of similar abductions in the region.
Why it matters
The recurring kidnapping of school staff highlights ongoing security challenges in rural Nigeria and the vulnerability of the education sector to criminal gangs.
Barely 24 hours after abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were rescued, suspected gunmen have kidnapped a 60-year-old Matthew Owoade, the primary school headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Owoade, who is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), was abducted around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday while returning home from his farm in Budo Aare, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state. The alleged kidnappers have reportedly demanded N30 million for his release.
Oyo State NUT secretary, Salami Olukayode, who confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES on a phone call on Monday, said appropriate actions have been taken to ensure the release of the victim.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in