Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq faces criticism after remaining silent on the arson attack that destroyed the home of an Isese priestess in Ilorin, Kwara State, allegedly by some radical Muslims, raising concerns about religious intolerance
Seven days after a suspected arson attack destroyed the home of a Yoruba traditional religion practitioner in Ilorin, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has yet to issue any public statement on the incident, a silence that is drawing mounting criticism from rights advocates, cultural leaders and residents concerned about deepening religious intolerance in the state capital.
The attack occurred on January 1, 2026, when the residence of Mrs T A Olorisha, popularly known as Iya Abiye, was set ablaze in the Isale Koko area of Ilorin.
Olorisha is a practitioner of Oníṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀, the Yoruba traditional religion. She was not at home at the time, having travelled to attend the Osun Festival, and no lives were lost.
However, the building was completely razed, with the full value of the damage yet to be determined.
Olorisha has alleged that the attack was the culmination of months of threats and harassment linked directly to her religious beliefs.
According to her account, problems began shortly after she relocated to the neighbourhood in November 2025.
Living in what she described as a predominantly Muslim area, she said neighbours repeatedly warned her to stop her traditional practices or face dire consequences, including the threat of having her home burned.
In a video that later circulated widely on social media, Olorisha recounted how she initially dismissed the threats as empty intimidation until she received a call from a neighbour informing her that her house was on fire.
“They said since your house is what keeps you here, stop your rituals or be ready to see it burn,” she said in the footage, which has since sparked widespread outrage and debate online.
She further disclosed that she had reported the threats to the police before the attack. While suspects were summoned and warned at the time, she said the intimidation did not stop.
The Kwara State Police Command has since confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the incident. The arrests were made on January 3. Those in custody are Alhaji Salihu Saka, 63, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu, 58, and Alhaji Yekini Olohuntele, 67.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, described the case as a suspected act of arson linked to religious intolerance.
She said the suspects were currently in custody and assisting with investigations, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest any other individuals involved.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of religion or cultural affiliation and urged members of the public to remain calm while cooperating with investigators.
The incident has once again drawn attention to a pattern of hostility faced by traditional worshippers in Ilorin.
Over the years, Isese practitioners have reported repeated harassment, threats and attempts to force them to abandon rituals or vacate their homes.
In 2023, similar incidents were reported in areas such as Oko Owo, where worshippers conducting rituals at a riverbank were allegedly threatened and chased away by Muslim clerics who claimed that traditional practices were not tolerated in the city.
Rights groups say they have documented at least five such cases in recent years, many of which received little or no public condemnation from senior state officials.
Critics argue that Ilorin’s reputation as a historic centre of Islamic scholarship has, in some cases, been distorted to justify intolerance, despite a long history of coexistence among different faiths in the region.
Reactions within the community have been mixed.
Several Muslim leaders in Ilorin have publicly condemned the arson, describing it as unIslamic and contrary to the Qur’anic principle of religious freedom.
One prominent voice, Abdulsalam Abdullah Abodunrin Adamthallith, called the act “evil, unIslamic and a manifestation of ignorance”, urging authorities to ensure justice and restitution for the victim. He cited the Qur’anic verse which states that there is no compulsion in religion.
Other residents have also distanced themselves from the attack, stressing that religious intolerance does not reflect the views of the wider community.
One local resident noted that many people in Ilorin reject extremism and support the ongoing police investigation.
However, the continued silence from Governor Abdulrazaq has become a focal point of criticism.
As of January 7, 2026, no official statement or condemnation had been issued by the governor or his office, despite the incident attracting national attention.
Activists and commentators argue that this silence sends a troubling message about unequal protection and accountability.
Advocate Bennylee described the lack of response as deeply concerning, saying it raises serious questions about justice and the state’s willingness to protect minority religious communities.
Also read: Three Muslims arrested over arson attack on traditional worshipper in Ilorin
He and others have pointed to previous cases, including threats made in 2023 against Osun priestess Yeye Ajesikemi Olokun Omolara, which also passed without any public response from the state’s highest office.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
