Shock and confusion have gripped residents of Adebiopon Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State after a 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, allegedly set himself ablaze.
Multiple sources in the community hinted that the incident occurred on Wednesday evening when Shodiya reportedly doused himself with petrol inside an uncompleted building before setting himself ablaze. Residents extinguished the fire and rushed him to General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where doctors pronounced him dead on Thursday morning.
Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” was widely known for fortune-telling and Ifa worship, having practised in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village.
A community source speaking on condition of anonymity alleged that Shodiya had set himself on fire after showing signs of depression. “We learnt that he set himself on fire. He had not been himself since his wife left him for another man. He had been showing signs of depression,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson Babaseyi Oluseyi said the police had commenced an investigation. “On July 1, 2026, a 50-year-old man, Muritala Shodiya, allegedly set himself ablaze after pouring petrol on himself in an uncompleted building at Adebiopon Village,” he said.