The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says the Canadian authorities have begun investigations into the killing of a 19-year-old Nigerian, Afolabi Stephen, allegedly by policemen in Manitoba, Canada on December 31, 2023.
In a condolence message issued by the Director of Media and Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa promised the deceased’s family and Nigerians in Canada that the probe would be thorough and that justice would be served.
She said, “We are in touch with the Nigerian mission in Ottawa, which gave the assurances of the Canadian authorities that investigations into the unfortunate incident have begun and will be thorough.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Afolabi and pray unto God to allow his gentle and innocent soul to rest in perfect peace.”
Though the details of Afolabi’s death and other associated events are still sketchy, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Police Department, in a statement posted on its website via Winnipeg.ca, said its officers responded to a call about a young male who was acting “erratically”.
The police claimed that upon arrival, efforts to calm the young man proved abortive, which led to a discharge of firearm by them which ultimately led to his death.
“On December 31, 2023, at approximately 2:22 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service responded to an apartment suite in the first 100 block of University Crescent for a 911 call regarding a male acting erratically. The caller advised the male may be armed and there were other people in the suite.
“Upon police arrival, they were confronted by an armed male. During this encounter, an officer discharged their firearm, striking the male. Officers provided immediate medical care and ensured the wellbeing of all other parties on scene. Nobody else was injured.
“The male was transported to hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries.”
While mourning their colleague’s death, the Nigerian Association in Manitoba, Canada, in a statement signed by its president, Vera Keyede, offered condolences to the deceased’s family, while urging the Nigerian community to stay calm as investigations continue.
“Nigerian Association of Manitoba wishes to express her deepest concern and regret over the unfortunate incident involving the shooting that led to the death of a Nigerian international student, by the Winnipeg Police Service on December 31, 2023.
“We extend our condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.
“We understand the anxiety, frustration, sadness and distress this incident has caused within our community.
“We plead with everyone not to engage in any activity that may cause any tension or hinder the process of investigation and the law.
“This is a challenging time for all of us. We need the Nigerian community to remain calm and composed as investigations are underway.
“We acknowledge the community’s right to seek answers and justice for one of our own. NAMI is closely monitoring the situation and seeking for guidance on how to proceed.
“NAMI will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available to us. We extend our support to those directly or indirectly affected by this unfortunate incident and we cannot overemphasise the need for solidarity during this challenging times.”
