Bandits want N280m for 18 worshippers despite killing my 14-year-old ‘son’ — Kwara queen

A devastating attack on a church in Kwara State, Nigeria, has left a community reeling after bandits abducted 18 worshippers and killed a 14-year-old boy. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, May 25, 2026, as children gathered for an anniversary rehearsal.

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He was like a grandson to me and my family. I regarded him as my last-born. He was the only one living with me.

Bukola Daramola, the 63-year-old Queen of Ikerin-Opin, shared her grief and the circumstances surrounding the death of Kola Aina, a boy she raised as her own. She recounted how he pleaded to attend the rehearsal, only for the bandits to arrive shortly after, opening fire and abducting the worshippers.

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Those people (the bandits) arrived around 7:30 p.m. They had not even entered the church before they started shooting. Three people were hit by bullets, while they abducted 18 others and took them into the bush.

Daramola described Kola as a beloved grandson and her last-born, highlighting his helpful nature and academic promise. His death has left her devastated, recalling how she fainted upon hearing the news. The queen is now appealing to the government for urgent intervention as the bandits have demanded a ransom of N280 million for the release of the 18 abducted individuals.

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I didn’t want him to go because it was just the two of us at home. He, however, pleaded with me to let him go because his friends had come to call him. I eventually agreed.