Yusuf Maitama Imam
A man identified as Suleiman Muntari, a native of Niger State and resident of Kofar Gadon Kaya in Kano, set himself on fire earlier today at Diga, along Panshekara Road.
Eyewitnesses told Kano Times that the man poured petrol on himself and ignited it.
“He said he wanted to go to Paradise,” said Saminu Isah, a vulcanizer nearby. “People thought he was joking, but before anyone could stop him, he had already poured petrol on himself and struck a match. Within seconds, he was on fire.”
Aisha Salisu, a resident, said he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
“He was not in his right senses. You could smell something strong on him, and he was staggering and shouting strange things,” she said. “People screamed and ran, some tried to pour water on him, but it was already too late.”
Locals tried to save him by dragging him into a roadside drainage filled with water, but the flames had already caused severe injuries.
“It was like a horror movie,” said Ibrahim Jafar, a tricycle rider. “Some young men tried to help by dragging him into the water, but the fire didn’t stop immediately. His skin was peeling.”
Authorities have not released an official statement on the incident.