A 46-year-old Nigerian woman based in Canada, Amaka Sonnberger, has been arrested by the Toronto Police for allegedly making violent threats against Yoruba and Bini people. Sonnberger, who encouraged others to poison members of these communities, was apprehended on Sunday, September 1, 2024.
The arrest follows a report filed on August 28, 2024, concerning a video that surfaced online in which Sonnberger issued the threats. The video, recorded in Pidgin English, showed her urging others to poison Yoruba and Bini individuals, saying, “It’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison in all your food at work. Put poison in your water, make una dey kpai one by one.”
In a statement, the Toronto Police Service confirmed that Sonnberger is facing charges of uttering threats and that the case is being investigated as a potential hate-motivated offense. She is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The Toronto Police added, “When suspected hate-motivated offenses are reported, investigations are either conducted by a Divisional Investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU) or exclusively by the HCU. If a criminal offense is believed to be motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, this factor may be considered during sentencing.”
The video sparked widespread condemnation, including from the Nigerian Federal Government, the House of Representatives, and various Nigerian communities, who called for swift action against the hateful rhetoric.
Toronto Police have urged anyone with additional information to contact them directly or to report anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
