Toronto Police have detained a Nigerian woman, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, following an alarming social media outburst in which she threatened to poison individuals belonging to the Yoruba and Benin communities. This development has sparked significant concern within the diverse Nigerian community in Toronto.
The Toronto Police Service, in a formal statement titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” confirmed the arrest and disclosed that Sunnberger will be appearing in court on September 2, 2024. The arrest occurred after an investigation was launched on August 28, 2024, in response to the concerning content Sunnberger allegedly posted online three days earlier, on August 25.
The police report detailed that Amaka Sunnberger, 46, was apprehended on September 1, 2024. She is now facing charges for uttering threats, a serious offense under Canadian law. The case is being treated as a suspected hate crime, with authorities emphasizing the severity of hate-motivated offenses. The Toronto Police have urged anyone with additional information to come forward, stressing the importance of community cooperation in such sensitive cases.
The police further elaborated on the procedures followed in suspected hate crimes, noting that these investigations often involve divisional investigators and, in certain cases, the Hate Crime Unit (HCU). If the allegations against Sunnberger are proven, the hate-motivated nature of her threats could result in an aggravated sentence, as Canadian law considers hate as a significant factor in sentencing decisions.
Toronto Police reiterated that promoting hatred and advocating genocide are serious hate propaganda offenses, requiring the Attorney General’s approval before charges are laid. These charges, according to the police, are often pursued after a thorough investigation.
The incident has raised alarm within the Nigerian community in Canada, where tensions related to ethnic biases can have far-reaching consequences. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing hate speech and hate crimes in a multicultural society like Toronto. Sunnberger’s court appearance is highly anticipated, as it will set a precedent for how similar cases might be handled in the future.
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