A sombre cloud hangs over Panshekara Road on the outskirts of Kano, where a man identified as Suleiman Muntari tragically ended his life by setting himself ablaze in broad daylight, an act that stunned residents and left many shaken.
Witnesses say Suleiman, believed to be battling deep psychological distress, doused himself in petrol and struck a match, going up in flames before horrified onlookers.
The harrowing incident, which unfolded rapidly, drew desperate but ultimately futile efforts from bystanders trying to save him.
“He shouted that he wanted to go to Paradise,” said an eyewitness who preferred not to be named.
“At first, some people thought he was joking. Then he poured the petrol and lit the fire. It all happened so fast.”
Another witness, Saminu Isah, described the scene as surreal. “He kept saying it was his ticket to heaven. People screamed, some ran, others tried to stop him, but it was already too late.”
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There are conflicting accounts regarding his state of mind at the time. While some believe he may have been under the influence of hard drugs, others say he showed signs of mental instability and emotional torment in the days leading up to the incident.
“He didn’t look okay at all,” said Aisha Salisu, a neighbour.
“There was a strange smell on him. He was staggering and talking nonsense. When the fire started, people poured water on him and tried dragging him into a drainage full of water, but the flames had already done too much damage,” she added.
Ibrahim Jafar, a commercial tricyclist, witnessed the horror firsthand. “His skin was melting off. It looked like something out of a nightmare. Some young boys tried to help by pulling him into the gutter, but by then, it was already over.”
