The Toronto Police Service has arrested Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Nigerian woman, following a viral audio recording in which she threatened to poison and kill Yoruba and Edo residents living in Canada.
According to a statement released on September 2, the police apprehended Amaka on September 1 after receiving reports that she posted online content around August 25, 2024, making threats against specific members of the Nigerian community.
Amaka has been charged with Uttering Threats and is set to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday, September 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. 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.”
Amaka made the threatening remarks during a conversation with fellow Nigerians on a TikTok space. She claimed that other tribes have marginalized the Igbos for too long and suggested it was time for them to be eliminated. Amaka, who lives in Ontario, specifically threatened to start poisoning the food of her Yoruba colleagues when she returned to work the following day. Her comments prompted calls for her arrest from members of the House of Representatives and other Nigerian groups.
In a separate audio recording, Amaka dismissed the calls for her arrest and deportation, stating that she is a Canadian citizen and insisting that nothing could be done to her.
