Ogun Ifa priest, Shodiya, Sets Self Ablaze, Dies In Obafemi Owode
A 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, has allegedly set himself ablaze in Ogun State.
The tragic incident occurred at Adebiopon Village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the State.
It was gathered that Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” had purchased the petrol, went into inside an uncompleted building before setting himself ablaze.
The residents upon noticing the incident quickly extinguished the fire and rushed him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was pronounced dead on Thursday morning by the medical doctor on duty.
Some of the residents who spoke 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.”
Spokesman of the Ogun State Police Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, 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 was rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, for treatment. Police officers visited the scene, documented the incident, and commenced an investigation.”
