Tragedy: Traditional Priest Allegedly Sets Himself Ablaze, Dies in Hospital

A wave of shock and disbelief swept through Adebiopon Village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State after a 50‑year‑old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” allegedly set himself ablaze inside an uncompleted building on Wednesday evening. The incident has left residents grappling with grief, unanswered questions, and the emotional weight of a tragedy that unfolded in their own backyard.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Shodiya, a well‑known fortune‑teller who had practised in Ijaye for years before relocating to Adebiopon, was rushed to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, after villagers extinguished the flames and attempted to save his life. Doctors pronounced him dead on Thursday morning, deepening the community’s sorrow.

According to multiple sources, the priest had been showing signs of depression following the collapse of his marriage. “He had not been himself since his wife left him for another man,” a resident said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the incident. ValidViewNetwork reports that some villagers initially suspected foul play, but eyewitness accounts later confirmed that Shodiya set himself on fire and crawled out of the bush while engulfed in flames.

Another resident, identified simply as Kazeem, recounted the frantic rescue attempt: “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,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Confirming the incident, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Babaseyi Oluseyi, stated that officers visited the scene, documented evidence, and commenced an investigation. He noted that the tragic event occurred on July 1, 2026, after Shodiya allegedly poured petrol on himself before igniting the fire.

ADVERTISEMENT

The case bears a haunting resemblance to a 2018 incident in Lagos, where a young man reportedly set himself ablaze while lamenting the hardship Nigerians were facing — a grim reminder of the silent battles many individuals endure behind closed doors, ValidViewNetwork reports.

And as Adebiopon Village struggles to make sense of this painful loss, one message echoes through the community: the urgent need for mental‑health awareness, compassion, and early intervention, especially in rural areas where emotional suffering often goes unnoticed until it becomes a tragedy.