The Queen of Ikerin-Opin in Kwara State, Bukola Daramola, has recounted details of the deadly kidnapping attack on her community that claimed the life of 14-year-old Kola Aina, a boy she said she had raised for years.
Speaking about the incident, reported by Punch on Sunday, July 5, 2026, Daramola said the attack occurred during a children’s anniversary programme at a church on a mountain. She said the gunmen opened fire before entering the church, killing some victims and abducting 18 others into the bush.
According to Daramola, survivors said the attackers appeared divided over the use of deadly force. “One of the attackers told another during the operation, ‘They didn’t tell us to kill anyone; stop killing. They told us to pack all of them,'” she said.
She added that another gunman allegedly shot the man who made the remark in the hand. As the wound bled heavily, the attackers reportedly tore a piece of cloth from the pastor’s wife’s dress to bandage him before taking her, her children, and the other captives away.
Daramola said she was not present during the attack but was informed by the church pastor that the assailants communicated in both English and Fulfulde. She added that the identities of the attackers remain unknown.
