Oyo State Police Command don confirm say di headmaster wey dem kidnap, Mathew Owoade, don regain im freedom afta security operatives put pressure on di abductors.
Di 60-year-old man, wey be both farmer and headmaster, dem snatch am on Saturday evening along Igbojaye–Budo Aare bush road for Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Di command spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, announce di development for statement wey dem issue for Ibadan on Monday. E say di victim regain im freedom afta intensive joint security operation wey dem launch immediately afta di incident.
According to Ayanlade, persistent investigative efforts and coordinated pressure from security operatives force di kidnappers to release di victim on Monday evening.
Di statement read: “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.”
Police say Owoade dey receive medical care now before investigators go begin formal debriefing as part of efforts to track down and prosecute those wey responsible for di abduction.
Di Commissioner of Police for Oyo State, Olugbenga Abimbola, praise oda security agencies, members of di local community and residents for dia cooperation during di rescue effort.
E also reaffirm di command determination to safeguard lives and property across di state, assuring residents say security agencies go continue pursuing criminal elements and deny dem any safe haven for Oyo State.
Di police command earlier launch coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies to rescue di farmer wey dem allegedly abduct for Igbojaye community. Di command say di operation follow di reported abduction of Mr. Mathew Owoade wey dem declare missing afta e fail to return from im farm along Igbojaye–Budo Aare Farm Road.
Di victim family organize search wen e no return home on Saturday. Di search party later recover di victim Bajaj motorcycle for di farm early Sunday morning.
“Shortly afterwards, the victim’s mobile phone was used to contact his family, during which the caller informed them that he had been abducted, prompting the matter to be reported to the police,” di statement say.
Di command clarify say, contrary to reports wey dey circulate for some media, di victim dem abduct am on im farm and not for any school premises. E urge members of di public to disregard misleading reports and rely only on information wey dem release through official channels.
Following di report, di Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr. Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, direct immediate deployment of joint rescue team wey include police operatives, personnel of Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters for di area.
Di statement say di team don commence intensive combing of di surrounding forests to search for di victim, adding say di operation don reinforce with di Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad and oda tactical units.
Di police say di various security agencies dey work collaboratively to ensure di victim safe rescue and di arrest of those wey behind di abduction.
Olugbenga assure residents say di command remain committed to combating kidnapping and oda violent crimes across di state. E urge members of di public to remain calm and continue to provide timely and credible information wey go support ongoing security operations.
Di Commissioner reiterate di command commitment to protect lives and property through sustained collaboration with sister security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance public safety across Oyo State.
