Kwara State Police have arrested three Muslim men suspected of involvement in the arson attack on the home of a female traditional religion practitioner in the Isale Koko area of Ilorin.
The suspects – Alhaji Salihu Saka (63), Alhaji Abubakar Salihu (58), and Alhaji Yekini Olohuntele (67) – are currently in custody assisting with investigations, according to an official press release issued today by the Kwara State Police Command.
The incident occurred on January 1, 2026, around 7:00pm, when the house was set ablaze while the owner, Mrs. T.A. Olorisha (a practitioner of traditional Yoruba religion, also known as Oníṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ or Isese), was away attending the Osun Festival.
No lives were lost as the building was unoccupied at the time.
Mrs. Olorisha reported the matter to police on January 2, alleging the fire resulted from prior threats made in November 2025 over religious differences.
She claimed neighbors opposed her traditional practices in the predominantly Muslim community and had explicitly warned that her house would be burned if she continued.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed a thorough probe into the suspected arson is underway, with efforts to apprehend any additional perpetrators.
The command emphasized its commitment to protecting the rights of all residents regardless of faith, urging calm and cooperation from the public.
The case follows a viral video and public report highlighting alleged religious intolerance, which drew widespread attention earlier this week.
Authorities have assured that all allegations will be diligently investigated.
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.
