Residents of Adebiopon Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have been left in shock following the death of a 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, who allegedly set himself ablaze after pouring petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, has thrown the quiet community into mourning, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of a man they had known for years.
According to residents, Shodiya was rescued after neighbours noticed him engulfed in flames. Although they managed to put out the fire and rushed him to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, he later died on Thursday morning while receiving treatment.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Community sources said the deceased, popularly known as “Ifa,” was well known in the area as a traditional priest involved in Ifa worship and fortune-telling.
Before relocating to Adebiopon Village, he was said to have practised in the Ijaye area of Abeokuta, where he had built a reputation among residents seeking traditional consultation.
Residents described him as a familiar figure whose sudden death has left many in disbelief.
A community source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident, claimed the deceased had recently experienced emotional difficulties linked to problems in his marriage.
According to the source, Shodiya had reportedly struggled emotionally after his wife allegedly left him for another man.
“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 alleged.
The claim has not been independently verified by the police.
Another resident, identified simply as Kazeem, narrated how villagers responded after seeing the victim on fire.
He said residents acted quickly in an effort to save his life.
“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,” Kazeem said.
He explained that confusion initially surrounded the incident, with rumours suggesting that other people might have been responsible.
However, according to him, information gathered by residents indicated that the deceased allegedly acted alone.
“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,” Kazeem said.
He added that the deceased had previously lived in Ijaye-Adebakin in Abeokuta before relocating to Adebiopon Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
The incident attracted attention from security agencies shortly after it was reported.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, speaking through a police statement attributed to Olumuyiwa Oluseyi, said officers had commenced investigations into the incident.
According to the police, the case was reported after the victim allegedly poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building before setting himself ablaze.
“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,” the police spokesperson said.
“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 statement added.
The police did not immediately disclose whether any suicide note or other evidence was recovered from the scene.
Authorities also said investigations would continue to establish all the facts surrounding the incident.
The tragedy has sparked conversations among residents about the importance of mental health awareness and emotional support for people experiencing personal challenges.
In Nigeria, mental health has increasingly become a subject of public discussion as awareness grows about the need to address depression, anxiety and other psychological conditions.
Residents of Adebiopon Village described Shodiya’s death as a painful loss, saying they never imagined the respected traditional priest would die in such tragic circumstances.
Many expressed sadness over the incident and urged authorities to complete their investigation to provide clarity on what happened.
The case also highlights the need for greater public awareness about mental health and the importance of creating safe spaces where people can openly discuss emotional and psychological challenges without fear of stigma.
As police continue their investigation, members of the community are mourning the death of a man whose life ended under tragic circumstances.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to provide further details on the events leading to the incident and help establish the full facts surrounding the death.