Canadian-Nigerian Woman Arrested for Po!son Threats Against Yoruba and Benin People

The Toronto Police Service has arrested Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against members of the Nigerian community.

Sonnberger, who resides in Ontario, Canada, was apprehended on Sunday, September 1, following an investigation into a viral video she posted on TikTok.

In the video, Sonnberger, speaking primarily in Pidgin English, made alarming statements about poisoning Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent. She declared, “It is time to start poisoning the Yorubas and the Benin. Put poison in all your foods at work. Put poison in all your water so that you all will begin dying one after the other.” She further added, “You all will not die one day. You will start falling sick for a long time. I will put Otapiapia (rat poison) inside your waters and foods. You people will never recover from the poison.”

The video, which began circulating online around August 25, 2024, prompted immediate outrage and concern among Nigerians both at home and abroad.

The Nigerian House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission swiftly petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding an investigation and prosecution of Sonnberger.

Toronto Police received reports of the threat on Wednesday, August 28 and acted promptly, leading to her arrest. In a statement released on Monday, September 2, the police confirmed that Sonnberger had been charged with uttering threats and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Avenue West at 10:00 am.

The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the investigation. The police have urged anyone with additional information 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.

Prominent Nigerian figures, including Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku, have condemned the incident, calling for swift justice and emphasizing the need for unity and tolerance. They stressed that such divisive actions must be met with the full force of the law to ensure they do not undermine the fabric of society.