Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 50‑year‑old traditional priest who had spent years reading the fortunes of others met a tragic and inexplicable end on Wednesday evening when he doused himself with petrol inside an uncompleted building in Adebiopon Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, and set himself ablaze. Muritala Shodiya, widely known in the community as "Ifa," was rushed to the General Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta, after residents extinguished the flames, but he was pronounced dead on Thursday morning, July 2, 2026. The incident has thrown the quiet village into shock and raised urgent questions about mental health and emotional distress in rural communities.
According to multiple sources in the community, Shodiya had been showing signs of deep emotional turmoil in the days leading up to his death. Residents told PUNCH Metro that the priest had not been himself since his wife left him for another man, and that he had been struggling with depression. "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," a community source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident.
Shodiya, who was known for fortune‑telling and Ifa worship, had reportedly practised in Ijaye, Abeokuta, for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village. He was a familiar figure in the area, respected for his spiritual calling. But on the evening of July 1, he walked into an uncompleted building, poured petrol on himself, and ignited the fuel. Residents who noticed him engulfed in flames rushed to the scene, extinguished the fire, and transported him to the hospital. Despite their efforts, doctors confirmed his death the following morning.
One resident, identified only as Kazeem, recounted the desperate 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 added that while some initially speculated that others might have set the priest on fire, it was confirmed that Shodiya acted alone. "He crawled out of the bush while he was on fire," Kazeem said.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. Police spokesperson Babaseyi Oluseyi stated that officers visited the scene, documented the incident, and commenced inquiries. "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," Oluseyi said.
The tragedy has reignited conversations about mental health awareness and the need for timely intervention for individuals experiencing severe emotional or psychological distress, particularly in rural areas where support systems are often lacking. Shodiya's death is a painful reminder that even those who are seen as spiritual guides can suffer silently, and that depression does not discriminate — it can consume anyone, regardless of their station in life.
As the community of Adebiopon Village mourns the loss of a man who once interpreted the fates of others, the question lingers: who reads the fate of the fortune‑teller when his own world falls apart?
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