Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ILORIN, Nigeria — A tense and troubling incident in the Isale Koko neighbourhood of Ilorin, Kwara State, has drawn national scrutiny after a Muslim-majority community was rocked by an alleged arson attack on the home of a woman who practices traditional African religion. The homeowner, identified as Mrs. T. A. Olorisha, has accused some of her neighbours of deliberately setting her house on fire following sustained threats linked to her faith, prompting a police investigation into possible religious intolerance and criminal behaviour.
The incident occurred on the evening of January 1, 2026, at around 7 p.m., when the residential building was set ablaze while Mrs. Olorisha was away, according to her statement to the Kwara State Police Command. Neighbours reportedly contacted her to inform her of the fire, and by the time authorities and firefighting teams arrived, the structure had been completely razed. Fortunately, no one was inside the house at the time, and no casualties have been reported.
Mrs. Olorisha’s allegations have reverberated beyond her neighbourhood after a video she recorded, showing the charred remains of her home, circulated widely on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The recording highlighted her emotional distress and appeal for justice, drawing attention from human rights advocates and prompting wider public discussion on religious freedom and coexistence in Nigeria’s culturally diverse society.
In response to the incident, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the suspected arson attack. The suspects — named in official police statements as Alhaji Salihu Saka, 63; Alhaji Abubakar Salihu, 58; and Alhaji Yekini Olohuntele, 67 — were detained after Mrs. Olorisha reported that she had received threats from some neighbours in November 2025. These threats, she said, were linked to her practice of traditional religion and resistance from certain members of the community who allegedly expressed hostility toward her presence.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said the command is conducting a “thorough investigation” into the fire, which officers currently suspect to be an act of arson. The force has pledged to pursue all leads in the case and to apprehend other individuals believed to be involved in the crime, underlining that the investigation is ongoing and that the suspects are cooperating with inquiries.
Authorities have emphasised that no lives were lost and the cost of the destroyed property has yet to be fully assessed. They have also urged the public to remain calm and assist law enforcement by providing any useful information that may help bring those responsible to justice. In their public statements, senior police officials stressed their commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of all residents, “regardless of religious or cultural beliefs,” and vowed to uphold peace and security in the state capital.
The allegations have raised concerns about religious intolerance in Ilorin, a city known for its cultural complexity and the coexistence of different faith traditions, including Islam, Christianity, and various indigenous practices. While Islam and Christianity are the dominant religions in many parts of Nigeria, practitioners of traditional African religions often constitute smaller, less visible minorities. Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to practice any faith without discrimination, making the protection of minority rights a matter of legal and social importance.
According to reports circulating on social media and community forums, Mrs. Olorisha had previously sought police intervention after facing overt hostility and intimidation from some residents who said they did not want a traditional worshipper residing in their predominantly Muslim community. These forums quoted her saying that individuals had explicitly threatened to set her home on fire if she continued practising her beliefs. She claimed that police had intervened earlier, summoning those accused of harassment and warning them against further actions, but that the threats allegedly escalated anyway.
Civil society organisations and human rights advocates have called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the case. They argue that regardless of the motivations behind the incident, the burning of a residence — if proven deliberate — constitutes a serious crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. Observers emphasise that the rule of law must prevail and that religious tolerance is essential to community harmony in multi-faith societies like Nigeria’s.
Religious leaders from various faith communities in Kwara have also weighed in, stressing the need for inter-faith dialogue and mutual respect. Some Muslim clerics in the state have reminded followers of the importance of peaceful coexistence with neighbours of different beliefs, while advocates for traditional religion practitioners have underscored the need for societal acceptance of Nigeria’s rich tapestry of spiritual traditions.
Legal experts point out that if the investigation substantiates claims of religiously motivated arson, the suspects could face severe penalties under Nigerian criminal law, which prohibits the destruction of property and attacks motivated by bias. However, they caution that allegations must be thoroughly vetted, and due process must be observed to avoid inflaming communal tensions.
Community leaders in Ilorin have appealed for calm. They acknowledge the sensitivity of the case, especially given prevailing concerns over inter-religious relations in parts of Nigeria, where tensions have occasionally erupted into violence in the past. While this latest incident remains under investigation, local authorities and elders are advocating restraint and urging residents to allow law enforcement officials to carry out their duties without interference.
For Mrs. Olorisha, the loss of her home has underscored the vulnerability that religious minorities can face, even in urban settings. It has also sparked renewed conversations about the lived experiences of those who follow traditional belief systems in predominantly Muslim or Christian areas, and the societal challenges they encounter in exercising their constitutional rights.
As Kwara police continue their inquiries, the broader community will be watching closely. The outcome of this case may have implications for how faith-related tensions are addressed at the local level and could influence ongoing efforts to strengthen social cohesion and protect individual liberties across Nigeria.
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