Residents of Adebiopon Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State were thrown into shock on Wednesday after a 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, allegedly set himself ablaze.

Community sources told our correspondent on Thursday that the incident occurred on Wednesday evening when Shodiya reportedly poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building before setting himself on fire.

Residents were said to have quickly extinguished the flames and rushed him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was confirmed dead on Thursday morning.

Before the incident, Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” was well known in the area for fortune-telling and Ifa worship. He reportedly practised in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village.

A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident, alleged that Shodiya had recently shown signs of emotional distress following personal challenges.

“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.

Another resident, identified simply as Kazeem, said villagers rushed to rescue the traditional priest after spotting 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 heard this morning that he died,” Kazeem said.

“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 an investigation had commenced.

She said, “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.

“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 recalls a similar case reported in 2018 when a man believed to be in his early 20s allegedly set himself ablaze in the Omole Phase 1 area of Ojodu, Lagos State.

He was reportedly carrying a gallon of petrol and a lighter and was heard lamenting the economic hardship facing Nigerians before setting himself on fire.