Canadian Authorities Arrest Woman Who Called for Mass Murder in Nigeria

A video that has been widely shared on the internet has resulted in the arrest of a woman named Amaka Sonnberger by Canadian authorities. In the video, which was initially shared on the social media platform X.com last Tuesday, Sonnberger, a woman of Nigerian origin living in Canada, was captured making threats against members of the Yoruba and Benin communities during a TikTok gathering.

In the video, Sonnberger, speaking in Pidgin English, stated, “Record me very well. It is time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one.”

After the video was made public, the Toronto Police Service reassured the Nigerian community that they were treating the threats with utmost seriousness and had made the safety of the affected communities their top priority. Bassey Osagie, a representative of the Toronto Police Service, provided a community update, stating, “We are aware of the recent TikTok video in which threats were made against the Edo and Yoruba tribes in Canada. The incident has been reported to the Toronto Police Service and is currently under investigation. Your safety is our priority, and we are committed to addressing this matter promptly.”

In response to her being investigated, Sonnberger responded in a online video, confidently stating, “Somebody just send me message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada pikin.”

Following their investigation, the Toronto Police Service released a statement on Sunday confirming that Sonnberger was apprehended on September 1, 2024. She is currently facing charges of uttering threats and has a court appearance scheduled for September 2, 2024. The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is currently investigating the case, treating it as a hate-motivated offence.

The police have made a plea for individuals who may have more information to step forward. They emphasise the seriousness of hate-motivated crimes, which can result in consultation with the Crown and harsher sentencing due to hate being seen as an aggravating factor. Charges related to hate speech, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, typically require the Attorney General’s consent and may experience delays.

If found guilty, Sonnberger may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison and could potentially be deported from Canada, depending on the seriousness of the offence and her immigration standing. The investigation is still underway, with authorities placing a high emphasis on ensuring the safety of the community.

Mimi Mefo Info