The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the release of kidnapped headmaster Mathew Owoade after sustained security operations forced his abductors to abandon him.
Owoade, a 60-year-old farmer and headmaster, was kidnapped on Saturday evening along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare bush road in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, announced the development in a statement on Monday, saying the victim regained his freedom following an intensive joint security operation launched immediately after the abduction.
According to Ayanlade, sustained investigative efforts and coordinated pressure from security operatives forced the kidnappers to release the victim on Monday evening.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to update members of the public on the earlier press release issued on July 13, 2026, regarding the abduction of a farmer, Mathew Owoade, who was kidnapped along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare bush road in Oyo State on July 12, 2026.
“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 July 13, 2026.
“The victim has since been taken to a medical facility for evaluation and necessary treatment. Upon completion of medical attention, he will be debriefed by investigators as part of the ongoing investigation aimed at identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting all those responsible for the criminal act,” the statement read.
The police said Owoade is currently receiving medical treatment and will be debriefed after his recovery as investigations continue to identify and arrest those behind the abduction.
