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September 2, 2024
A Nigerian woman based in Canada, Amaka Patience Sunnberger has been arrested by the Canadian police for threatening to poison Yoruba and Benin people in a viral video.
This development was announced in a press statement issued by the Toronto Police on their website, revealing that the suspect will be arraigned in court on Monday.
The statement reads: “The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in a suspected hate-motivated threatening investigation.
“On Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Toronto Police received a call for a threatening incident.
“It is alleged that: the accused posted online content on or about August 25, 2024 threatening death to specific members of the Nigerian community.
“On Sunday, September 1, 2024, Toronto Police arrested Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto.
“She has been charged with: Uttering Threats.
“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.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
“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.”
In the viral video, Sunnberger, who was noted as living in Ontario, Canada, said she would begin to poison the food and water of Nigerians immediately after she got to her place of work.
Hours after the threat went viral, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, petitioned Honourable Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, Canada, regarding the threat to kill Yoruba and Benin people.
Speaking in Pidgin language, Amaka Sunnberger said, “Record me very very well. It is time to start poisoning the Yorubas and the Benins. Put poison in all your foods at work. Put poison in all your water so that you all will start dying one by one.
“You people will not die one day. You people will fall sick for a long time. I will put Otapiapia (rat poison) inside your waters and foods. You people will never get well.
“This kind of hatred I have for you people will last forever. In all your foods, I will put Otapiapia,” as others at the meeting reminded her of other poisons including Eat and Die, Sniper."
“I will put them in all your foods. If I go to work tomorrow, I will put it (poison) in Yoruba people's food. Go and tell the government that I’m in Canada, I’m in Ontario. Hurry up, go fast,” she added.