A 50-year-old traditional Ifa priest, Muritala Shodiya, has died after allegedly setting himself ablaze in Adebiopon village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, July 1, 2026, when Shodiya reportedly doused himself with petrol inside an uncompleted building before igniting the fire.
Rescue Efforts and Death
Residents quickly extinguished the flames and rushed him to the General Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta. Doctors pronounced him dead on Thursday morning, July 2, 2026. Before the incident, Shodiya—popularly known as “Ifa”—was widely known for fortune-telling and Ifa worship. He had practiced in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon village.
Community Accounts of Depression
Speaking to Punch on condition of anonymity, 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. “I 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.”
Police Confirmation and Investigation
The spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the incident and said an investigation is ongoing. “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,” the PPRO said. “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.”
