By Ayomide Awe
Residents of Adebiopon community in Obafemi Owode LGA, Ogun State, were thrown into shock on Wednesday following the death of a 50-year-old traditional worshipper, Muritala Shodiya.
Community accounts say the incident happened in the evening when the man, popularly called “Ifa,” was found on fire inside an uncompleted building.
Locals said they extinguished the flames and rushed him to the General Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta where he was confirmed dead on thursday morning.
Shodiya was known locally for Ifa divination and had lived in Ijaye for years before moving to Adebiopon.
People close to him told reporters he had been withdrawn lately.
A resident who pleaded to remain anonymous said the priest had been struggling emotionally since his wife left him for another man.
“We noticed he was not himself. He looked depressed after the separation,” the source said.
Another villager, Kazeem, said neighbours responded quickly when they saw the fire.
Authorities have not released an official statement on the matter.
