Tragedy struck in the Panshekara area of Kano State when a young man, identified as Suleiman Muntari, set himself ablaze in broad daylight, claiming he was on his way to paradise.
Eyewitnesses said Muntari appeared visibly distressed and mentally unstable before the incident.
He was reportedly seen wandering the streets, muttering incoherently to himself—behaviour that drew the attention of passersby but was not initially considered dangerous.
“He kept talking about going to paradise.
We thought he was just stressed or frustrated, not that he would actually harm himself,” said Saminu Isah, who witnessed the scene.
In a shocking turn, Muntari doused himself with petrol and struck a match before anyone could intervene.
Efforts by bystanders to put out the flames proved unsuccessful as the fire spread rapidly.
Some residents suspect he may have been under the influence of drugs or other substances, further impairing his mental state.
“You could tell he wasn’t okay,” said Aisha Salisu, a local resident.
“He smelled strongly of chemicals and was shouting things that didn’t make sense.”
Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but the incident has sparked fresh concerns about the growing mental health crisis among young people in the region.