A 50-year-old traditional priest named Muritala Shodiya passed away on Thursday after setting himself on fire in Adebiopon village, located in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. On Wednesday evening, Shodiya reportedly doused himself in petrol inside an unfinished building and lit a fire.
Known locally as “Ifa,” the priest was a well-known figure in the community for his fortune-telling services. He had previously lived in the Ijaye area of Abeokuta before moving to the village. Local residents managed to extinguish the flames and transported him to the General Hospital in Ijaye, but he eventually succumbed to his injuries.
Community members indicated that Shodiya had been struggling with his mental health following the separation from his wife. While initial rumors suggested foul play, witnesses confirmed that the deceased acted on his own. Babaseyi Oluseyi, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident and stated that an official investigation into the matter is currently underway.
