Traditional Priest Dies After Setting Self Ablaze in Ogun

Residents of Adebiopon Village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State were thrown into mourning on Wednesday after a 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, died from injuries sustained after allegedly setting himself on fire.

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It was gathered that the incident occurred when Shodiya reportedly poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building before igniting the fuel.

Residents were said to have rushed to the scene, extinguished the flames and took him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he later died on Thursday morning.

The deceased, popularly known as "Ifa," was said to have been renowned for Ifa worship and divination. He reportedly practised in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident, claimed the deceased had shown signs of emotional distress following the breakdown of his marriage.

According to the source, Shodiya had struggled emotionally after his wife reportedly left him for another man.

Another resident, identified simply as Kazeem, said community members made frantic efforts to save the traditional priest after noticing him engulfed in flames.

"We rushed to rescue him immediately. We put out the fire and took him to the hospital, but we later received the news that he had died," he said.

Kazeem dismissed claims that the deceased was attacked, insisting that available information indicated he had set himself ablaze.

He added that Shodiya had previously lived in the Ijaye-Adebakin area of Abeokuta before relocating to Adebiopon Village.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said detectives had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

She said the police received a report that the 50-year-old allegedly poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze inside an uncompleted building in the community.

According to the police spokesperson, the victim was rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, while officers visited the scene, documented the incident and launched an investigation.