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A 60-year-old headmaster and farmer, Mathew Owoade, who was abducted along the Igbojaye-Budo Aare road in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, has regained his freedom, the state Police Command has confirmed.
The command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a statement issued in Ibadan on Monday that the victim was freed following a coordinated joint security operation and sustained investigative efforts by the police and other security agencies.
He said the intense operational pressure mounted on the abductors forced them to abandon Owoade, who regained his freedom on Monday evening.
According to the police, the farmer has been taken to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment and will be debriefed by investigators after receiving medical attention as efforts continue to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind the abduction.
The 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.”
Owoade was kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday while returning home along the Igbojaye-Budo Aare road.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Olugbenga Abimbola, commended security agencies, community members and residents for their cooperation during the operation.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that criminal elements would not be allowed to operate freely in the state
