“I Want To Go To Paradise” — Man Says Before Setting Himself On Fire In Kano

A tragic incident occurred in Kano State on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, when Suleiman Muntari, a Niger State native, set himself ablaze in the Diga area along Panshekara Road.

According to eyewitness accounts, Muntari doused himself with petrol before igniting the fire. He reportedly expressed his intention to reach “Paradise” moments before the act.

“He said he wanted to go to Paradise. 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,” said a witness, Saminu Isah.

According to reports, some eyewitnesses suspected Suleiman Muntari may have been under the influence of substances prior to his fatal act, with residents describing him as visibly disoriented and shouting incoherently in the moments before the tragedy.

“He was not in his right senses. You could smell something strong on him, and he was staggering and shouting strange things,” said Aisha Salisu, a resident.

As the incident unfolded, bystanders attempted to intervene, but their efforts came too late to prevent the tragic outcome.

“People screamed and ran, some tried to pour water on him, but it was already too late,” Salisu added.

Some residents attempted to rescue Muntari by pulling him into a nearby drainage filled with water, but by then, the flames had already inflicted critical injuries.

“It was like a horror movie. Some young men tried to help by dragging him into the water, but the fire didn’t stop immediately. His skin was peeling,” said Ibrahim Jafar, a tricycle rider who witnessed the incident.

As of the time this report was filed, the state police command had not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.