A tragic incident occurred on Panshekara Road in Kano on Tuesday when a man identified as Suleiman Muntari set himself on fire in a shocking act that left residents in disbelief.
According to eyewitness accounts, Muntari doused himself with petrol and set himself ablaze, reportedly claiming he wanted to “go to Paradise.”
“He said he wanted to go to Paradise. People thought he was joking, but before anyone could stop him, he had already poured fuel on himself and struck a match. Within seconds, he was on fire,” said Saminu Isah, who witnessed the incident.
Residents in the area believe Muntari may have been under the influence of drugs, as he appeared unstable and was reportedly shouting incoherently before the act.
“He was not in his right senses. You could smell something strong on him, and he was staggering and saying strange things,” said Aisha Salisu, a resident of the area.
Despite frantic efforts by bystanders to save him, it was too late. Some residents attempted to douse the flames with water and even dragged him into a nearby drainage filled with water, but the damage had already been done.
“It was like a horror film. Some young men tried to help by pulling him into the water, but his skin was already peeling from the burns,” said Ibrahim Jafar, a commercial tricycle rider.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
