A 50-year-old traditional Ifa priest, Muritala Shodiya, has died after allegedly setting himself on fire in Adebiopon Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun state. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and Shodiya succumbed to his injuries the following morning at the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.
Residents Recount the Incident
According to reports from Punch Metro, Shodiya, popularly known as "Ifa," poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building before igniting the fuel. Residents who noticed the fire rushed to the scene, extinguished the flames, and transported him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead on Thursday, July 2.
A resident who spoke anonymously claimed Shodiya had been acting strangely before the incident. The source alleged that his wife had left him for another man, and he had shown signs of depression. However, there has been no official confirmation linking the incident to his marital situation. "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 resident said.
Community Efforts to Save Him
Another resident, identified only as Kazeem, said villagers did everything they could to save Shodiya's life after seeing him on fire. "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. He also addressed rumors that others might have been responsible, stating, "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."
Shodiya was well known in the community for fortune-telling and Ifa worship. He had reportedly practiced in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village.
Police Investigation Underway
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an investigation is ongoing. The command's spokesperson, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said Shodiya allegedly poured petrol on himself before setting himself on fire inside an uncompleted building. "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," Oluseyi said.
The circumstances surrounding Shodiya's death remain under investigation. Although community members have shared different accounts about what may have led to the incident, the police have not officially established a motive.
