The International Congress for Ifa/Orisa Spirituality (ICIOS)is deeply shocked and disturbed by the recent arson attack on the home of a traditional worshipper in Ilorin, Kwara State. This act of violence, reportedly motivated by religious differences, is completely unacceptable and runs contrary to laws of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the values of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect that our society must uphold.
Ilorin, Kwara State, has increasingly become a place of fear and exclusion for citizens who do not practice Islam. Over the past few years, several incidents point to a troubling pattern of religious intolerance and breach of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• In August 2023, Traditional Festivals (Isese Day Celebration) associated with Ìṣẹ̀ṣe worship, including those linked to Iya Olosun and Odo Yemoja (Yemoja River), were reportedly stopped from taking place in Ilorin Kwara State. An act protected and guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution’s as freedom of religion.
• On 24 September 2025, a Traditional Religious (Onisese woman) Iya Osunfunmilayo was attacked in her own home by individuals identified as Islamic clerics (Alfa and Sheik), who allegedly told her that Ilorin does not permit traditional worship and accepts only Islam. This reinforcing fears of religious profiling and intimidation. The video of the intimidation was widely circulated on all social media. The matter was later suppressed through community pressure and manipulation, with no transparent justice served.
Most recently, is the house of Iya Olosun/Iya Abiye (A traditional religious faith practitioner) that was set ablaze in Isale – Koko in Ojagboro area of Ilorin, Kwara State following sustained threats linked to her traditional religious faith practice.
These events suggest a pattern where non – Muslim citizens particularly practitioners of indigenous Yoruba Religious Spirituality are denied their fundamental human rights that are enshrined under the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. These Religious intolerant profiling and intimidation violates:
• Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion)
• Section 42 (Freedom from Discrimination)
• Section 10 (The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion)
ICIOS condemns this attack in the strongest terms. No individual should ever face threats, harassment, or harm because of their spiritual, religious or cultural beliefs. We call on the relevant government authorities to ensure a thorough investigation, swift justice on the perpetrators, and measures to protect all Traditional Spirituality/Religious Practitioners from similar attacks in the future.
We also urge the public to reject violence and prejudice in all forms, and to embrace religious tolerance and co-existence as essential pillars of a harmonious society. ICIOS stands firmly with the victim of the arson and all communities committed to the practice of their faith peacefully and safely.
Signed,
Iyanifa Ifayomi Adunni, International (PRO)
For: International President
www.icios.org
International Congress of Ifa/Orisa Spirituality(ICIOS)