Kwara Traditional Worshipper Alleges Neighbours Burnt Her House
Kwara Traditional Worshipper Alleges Neighbours Burnt Her House
A traditional religion practitioner in Ilorin, Kwara State, has alleged that her neighbors deliberately set her residence on fire following a series of threats regarding her religious beliefs.
The accusation surfaced on Saturday via a report and video evidence posted to X by a user named Bennylee (#itsbennylee).
The post detailed how the woman has faced consistent harassment since moving into a neighborhood with a high Muslim population.
The report emphasizes that the woman is a legitimate homeowner and an Oníṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ (traditionalist) who exercised her constitutional freedom as a Nigerian citizen to build a home and reside in her chosen location.
However, shortly after she settled in, some members of the community reportedly voiced their disapproval, explicitly stating they were unwilling to live alongside a practitioner of traditional African religion.
The situation allegedly progressed from verbal pushback to intimidation and direct menaces, leading the woman to seek help from a local police station in Ilorin.
Law enforcement reportedly intervened by summoning the neighbors and warning them to cease their harassment, confirming the woman’s legal right to live in the area and practice her faith freely.
Despite this police caution, the hostility reportedly persisted.
She was allegedly warned that her home would be razed if she did not renounce her traditional religious activities.
While she initially doubted the neighbors would follow through, she received an urgent call on January 1, 2026, while away at an Osun Festival event.
A neighbor alerted her that her Ilorin residence was engulfed in flames; the house was subsequently found to be destroyed.
The report categorizes the fire as a premeditated act of arson rather than an accidental blaze, citing the specific threats made previously.
A statement accompanying the report noted: “This account is provided on behalf of a Nigerian woman, a lawful property owner and an ONÍṢẸ̀ṢẸ practitioner.
“She constructed a home in Ilorin, Kwara State, in full accordance with her constitutional rights as a citizen of Nigeria.
“From the onset, certain individuals in this Muslim community declared she was unwelcome. She faced constant intimidation and threats solely based on her spiritual path.
“In response, she filed a report with the Ilorin police. Authorities warned those involved that the law protects her right to reside and build anywhere in the country.
“However, the intimidation grew more severe. She was told directly: ‘If you don’t stop your traditional practices, we will burn down the house that keeps you here.’
“Thinking it was a bluff, she left for her other home for the Osun Festival. On January 1, 2026, she was notified by a neighbor that her house was burning.
“The total destruction of the property confirms the earlier threats. This was a clear act of arson motivated by religious intolerance.
“This information is being released for public record, for her personal protection, and to demand accountability from the media and human rights groups. Every Nigerian has a right to their beliefs without fear of displacement or attack. We will seek justice.”
At the time of this publication, the Kwara State Police Command has yet to release a statement or confirm if any suspects have been taken into custody.
Efforts to contact the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, were unsuccessful as multiple phone calls went unanswered and a follow-up text message has not yet been acknowledged.
