A Nigerian woman residing in Canada, Amaka Sunnberger, is under investigation by the Toronto Police Service for making violent threats against Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.
The threats made during a TikTok live session have sparked widespread outrage and concern.
A representative of the Toronto Police Service, Sergeant Bassey Osagie, confirmed that the matter is being taken seriously and is currently under investigation.
“This incident has been reported to the Toronto Police Service and is currently under investigation,” Osagie said.
The Nigerian House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission have petitioned Canadian authorities, demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of Sunnberger for her inflammatory statements.
The controversy began when a video of Sunnberger went viral on Wednesday, in which she threatened to poison the food and water of Yoruba and Benin people living in Canada. In the video, she boasted about her residence in Ontario and detailed her plans to carry out the mass poisoning as soon as she arrived at her workplace.
Shortly after the video surfaced, the Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed Sunnberger’s identity and shared her photo. Dabiri-Erewa also sent a petition to the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, highlighting the gravity of the threat and urging immediate action.
In response to the video, the House of Representatives formally requested that the Canadian government prosecute Sunnberger.
The letter, addressed to the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff, stated that Sunnberger’s statements directly threaten Nigerians’ safety.
“In light of the seriousness of these violations, we respectfully request the following actions: an immediate and thorough investigation into Ms. Sunnberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities,” the letter read in part.
Despite the growing calls for her arrest, Sunnberger appeared defiant in a follow-up video, dismissing the possibility of her arrest or deportation.
She asserted her Canadian citizenship, saying, “Somebody just sent me a message, saying they’ve arrested me and want to deport me—with a passport? I’m a Canadian citizen.”
In the original video, Sunnberger expressed a deep hatred for the Yoruba and Benin people, saying, “It is time to start poisoning the Yorubas and Benin. Put poison in all your foods at work. Put poison in all your water so that you all will begin dying one after the other.”
She went on to elaborate on her plans, mentioning specific poisons she intended to use, including rat poison and other deadly substances. In contrast, others in the live session suggested additional toxins.
Sunnberger’s remarks have caused widespread alarm, and many Nigerians at home and in the diaspora have called for swift action to prevent potential harm. The investigation by the Toronto Police Service is ongoing, and Canadian authorities are expected to take the necessary steps to address the situation.
