A 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sunnberger, has been arrested by Toronto Police for making threatening comments against Yoruba and Benin people.
In a viral video clip, she was seen making anti-Yoruba and Benin remarks during a virtual meeting on TikTok, threatening to poison Yoruba and Benin people.
“Record me very well; it’s 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,” she said mainly in Pidgin English.
According to the Toronto Police Service, Sunnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday at the Ontario Court of Justice.
Toronto Police Service, in an early Monday morning statement dated Sept. 1 on its website titled, “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” revealed this.
“Toronto Police have arrested a woman in connection with a suspected hate-motivated threat investigation.
“The arrest follows a report received on August 28, 2024, regarding a threatening incident. Authorities allege that on or around August 25, 2024, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto, posted online content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.
“Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and has been charged with uttering threats. She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West.
“The investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3500 or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com,” Toronto Police Service said in a statement on Sunday morning.
TPS added that the case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit involved in the investigation.
“When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional Investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU.
“If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
“Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time,” the statement added.
The investigation was launched after a report was made on August 28, 2024, regarding a threatening incident. Police allege that Sonnberger posted online content on August 25, 2024, threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed Sunnberger’s identity and called for her immediate arrest.
The House of Representatives also condemned her threats, describing them as “divisive and hateful”.
There was widespread outrage and calls for justice from the Nigerian community and prominent figures, including Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku.