The Toronto Police in Canada have arrested a Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, who threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people. The 46-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday, September 1, 2024, following an investigation into online content she posted on August 25, threatening violence against specific members of the Nigerian community.
According to the police, Sonnberger is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, before a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice. She has been charged with uttering threats, and the case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense. The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is involved in the investigation.
A statement from the Toronto Police Service, titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” revealed that authorities received a report on August 28, 2024, about the threatening incident. The statement added that Sonnberger allegedly posted content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community around August 25, 2024. She was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West.
The police emphasized that hate-motivated crimes may involve consultation with the Crown, and if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. Charges related to hate speech, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed.
The House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission had petitioned Canadian authorities, demanding an investigation and prosecution of the woman. Sonnberger, who resides in Ontario, Canada, had stated in a video that she would begin to poison the food and water of Nigerians immediately after arriving at her place of work. The video, in which she made threats against the Yoruba and Benin communities, went viral, prompting swift condemnation and calls for action from Nigerian officials and citizens alike.
Hours after the threat went viral, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, petitioned Honourable Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, Canada, regarding the concerning matter involving Amaka Patience Sonnberger.
Sonnberger was recorded saying in Pidgin English, “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.” She continued with other disturbing remarks, advocating the use of various poisons and inciting hatred against Yoruba and Benin people.
The police have urged anyone with information about the case 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.
