Shock and confusion gripped residents of Adebiopon Village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday after a 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, allegedly set himself ablaze.

It was gathered from multiple sources in the community on Thursday that the incident occurred on Wednesday evening when Shodiya reportedly doused himself with petrol inside an uncompleted building before setting himself ablaze.

The residents, it was gathered, quickly extinguished the fire and rushed him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where doctors pronounced him dead on Thursday morning.

Before the incident, Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” was widely known for fortune-telling and Ifa worship.

He had reportedly practised in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon village.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident, a community source 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.

Another resident, identified only as Kazeem, said villagers rushed to rescue Shodiya after seeing him engulfed in flames.

“We rushed to the scene to save his life. We put out the fire and took him to the hospital, but I just heard this morning that he has died,” Kazeem said.

“Although some people claimed that other people set him on fire, he actually set himself ablaze. He crawled out of the bush while he was on fire.

“He formerly lived in Ijaye-Adebakin, Abeokuta, before moving to Adebiopon Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.”

Confirming the incident, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson Babaseyi Oluseyi said the police had commenced an investigation.

He stated, “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 was rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, for treatment. Police officers visited the scene, documented the incident, and commenced an investigation.”

The incident is similar to one reported in 2018 when a man believed to be in his early 20s allegedly set himself ablaze in the Omole Phase 1 area of Ojodu, Lagos State.

He was said to have carried a gallon of petrol and a lighter while lamenting the hardship Nigerians were facing before setting himself on fire. (The PUNCH)

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