Fresh concerns over insecurity have emerged in Oyo State following the abduction of Mr. Owoade Mathew, popularly known as Onaiye, the Headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Friday, has plunged the victim’s family, colleagues, the education community, and residents of Itesiwaju into anxiety and uncertainty.
Reacting to the development, concerned education stakeholders and community leaders in Itesiwaju Local Government strongly condemned the abduction, describing it as a disturbing attack on education and community peace. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of the school headmaster.
In a statement issued on Sunday and made available to Oduduwa News, the stakeholders appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local security outfits, and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts towards securing Mr. Owoade’s safe rescue and ensuring that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.
The stakeholders also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, religious organisations, youth groups, and residents of Itesiwaju Local Government Area to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
They advised members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while avoiding the circulation of unverified information capable of jeopardising security operations.
According to the statement, the latest incident further highlights the urgent need to strengthen security across communities in Itesiwaju Local Government Area and neighbouring areas.
The stakeholders called on the appropriate authorities to increase security patrols, improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response capabilities, and implement sustainable measures to safeguard lives and property.
They further appealed to Nigerians and people of goodwill to remember the abducted headmaster in their prayers, expressing hope that he would return safely to his family and community.
The group maintained confidence that through the combined efforts of government, security agencies, traditional institutions, and members of the public, Mr. Owoade Mathew would be rescued unharmed while lasting peace and security would be restored across Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies regarding the circumstances surrounding the abduction or ongoing rescue operations.