A tragic incident has thrown the Panshekara community in Kano into mourning after a young man, Suleiman Muntari, shocked onlookers by setting himself ablaze in broad daylight while claiming he was heading to paradise.
According to eyewitnesses, Muntari displayed clear signs of emotional and mental distress before committing the act. He was reportedly seen wandering along the road and muttering to himself—behavior that concerned those who observed him.
"He said he wanted to go to Paradise. People around thought he was just talking out of stress or frustration. Nobody imagined he would actually go through with it," said Saminu Isah, who witnessed the incident.
Before bystanders could intervene, Muntari had already doused himself with petrol and ignited it. Despite frantic efforts from several people to save him, the flames spread too rapidly.
Possible Substance Influence
Community members suspect Muntari may have been under the influence of substances that altered his mental state at the time of the incident.
"It was obvious he wasn't okay. You could tell from the way he was walking and talking. There was a strong smell coming from him, and he was shouting things that didn't make sense," explained Aisha Salisu, a resident who lives nearby.
While local authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, this disturbing event has ignited fresh debates about the rising wave of mental health crises among Nigerian youth.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about suicide rates in Nigeria, with mental health advocates calling for improved access to psychological support services and greater public awareness about mental health issues.
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