Nigerian woman arrested for ‘threatening death’ in Canada

Police operatives in Toronto, Canada, have arrested a 46-year-old Nigerian woman, Amaka Sunnberger, who threatened to kill Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent in a viral video.

The police, in a statement, revealed she was arrested on Sunday, September 1, and will be charged in court on Monday.

According to a statement by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), the accused posted online content on or about August 25, 2024, threatening death to specific members of the Nigerian community.  

The statement reads in part: “She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, at 10:00am in courtroom 107.

“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence”.

NewsWireNGR reports that Amaka’s remarks had sparked nationwide outrage, prompting the Nigerian House of Representatives to request her prosecution.

The Nigerian lawmakers had written to the Canadian government to prosecute Sunnberger for inciting violence and genocide against the Yoruba and Benin people.

Similarly, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had earlier written a petition to Honourable Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, Canada, regarding the case.