Gunmen, suspected to be bandits, have kidnapped a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victim was identified as Mr Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as ‘Onaiye’

The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said his father was returning from a visit to his farm when he was intercepted and abducted by the armed assailants.

According to him, shortly after the kidnapping, the abductors contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of thirty million naira for his release.

During a search for the victim on Sunday, the victim’s motorcycle was recovered after being abandoned abandoned in a bush.

The community expressed deep sadness over the incident, appealing to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies to intervene swiftly and secure the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Kolawale.

Spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr Owoade Mathew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” he said.

This latest incident happened after the federal government announced the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers Kidnapped in the same state.

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The Nigeria Police Force in Zamfara State has reportedly rescued two kidnap victims after intercepting 10 jerrycans of petrol allegedly being taken to bandits as ransom.

The development was disclosed in a post accompanied by a video shared on X by security analyst Bakatsine on Sunday.

“Nigeria Police Force in Zamfara have rescued two kidnap victims after intercepting a man who was allegedly taking 10 jerrycans of petrol to bandits as ransom for the release of his father and brother.

“After seizing the fuel, the operatives moved into the forest, confronted the kidnappers and safely rescued both victims,” Bakatsine wrote.

“Kudos to the Nigeria Police Force and other security personnel involved for their bravery and commitment in the fight against kidnapping and banditry,” he added.

Five residents of Malam Matari community, on the outskirts of Damaturu, are receiving medical treatment after being bitten by a dog confirmed to have rabies, in an incident that has raised fresh concerns over public health and animal disease control in Yobe State.

The attack also affected livestock, prompting the Yobe State Pilot Livestock Development Programme to deploy its Rapid Response Team to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the virus.

The Programme Manager, Dr Bulama Maina Yaro, who supervised the emergency operation, said the five victims were responding well to treatment and had commenced the recommended five-dose post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination.

He added that the swift response helped contain the situation before it escalated.

“The situation is under control. The affected persons are receiving appropriate medical care, while the infected animals have been safely buried to prevent further spread of the virus,” Dr Yaro said.

According to him, two goats attacked by the rabid dog were safely disposed of and buried in line with veterinary public health guidelines to eliminate the risk of further transmission.

As part of the intervention, veterinary officials conducted a public awareness campaign in Malam Matari to educate residents on the dangers of rabies, how to identify symptoms in animals, what to do after a dog bite, and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.

The sensitisation exercise was led by Veterinary Officer Dr Yau Buba Wakil.