Ogun traditional priest dies after alleged self-immolation after a 50-year-old man reportedly set himself ablaze. Police have opened an investigation

Shock and grief swept through Adebiopon Village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday after Muritala Shodiya, a 50-year-old traditional priest popularly known as “Ifa”, died following an alleged act of self-immolation.

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The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday evening when Shodiya allegedly poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building in the community before setting himself ablaze.

Residents rushed to the scene, extinguished the flames and took him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was pronounced dead on Thursday morning.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Before his death, Shodiya was well known in parts of Abeokuta for practising Ifa divination and traditional worship. Community members said he had operated in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village.

Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity described the incident as devastating and claimed the deceased had recently shown signs of emotional distress.

One community source alleged that Shodiya had struggled after the breakdown of his marriage.

“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.

The claim has not been independently verified by the police.

Another resident, identified simply as Kazeem, said villagers made frantic efforts to save the traditional priest after discovering 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.

Kazeem also dismissed speculation circulating within the community that unidentified persons had set Shodiya on fire.

“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, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, said officers responded after receiving the report and immediately began documenting the scene.

“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 police spokesperson 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.”

The incident has sparked conversations within the community about mental health awareness and the importance of seeking timely support for people experiencing emotional or psychological distress.

Although police have not established a motive, investigators are expected to speak with relatives, witnesses and other members of the community as part of efforts to determine the events leading to Shodiya’s death.

Cases of self-immolation are relatively rare in Nigeria but have been reported over the years. In 2018, a man believed to be in his early 20s allegedly set himself ablaze in the Omole Phase 1 area of Ojodu, Lagos State, after reportedly expressing frustration over economic hardship.

The incident also prompted public concern about mental health and crisis intervention.

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Mental health professionals have consistently urged families and communities to take signs of emotional distress seriously, noting that early intervention and access to professional support can help prevent tragedies.