The Nigerian Association of Manitoba mourns the tragic death of 19-year-old Afolabi Stephen, a Nigerian student killed by Canadian policemen on December 31, 2023. The Winnipeg, Manitoba Police Department responded to a call about an erratic young male and, upon arrival, discharged a firearm, resulting in the fatal shooting of Afolabi Stephen.
The police statement indicated, “Upon police arrival, they were confronted by an armed male. During this encounter, an officer discharged his firearm, striking the male. Officers provided immediate medical care, and the male was transported to the hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries.”
Expressing condolences to the deceased’s family, the Nigerian Association in Manitoba, Canada, urged the community to remain calm during investigations. President Vera Keyede stated, “This is a challenging time for all of us; we need the Nigerian community to remain calm and composed as investigations are underway. We acknowledge the community’s right to seek answers and justice for one of our own.”
NAMI emphasized the importance of solidarity and pledged to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as information becomes available. The tragic incident has reignited concerns about extrajudicial killings of Nigerians abroad, with approximately 300 Nigerians reportedly murdered in foreign nations over the last seven years.
In 2022, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in Northern Cyprus, where 13 Nigerians lost their lives in six years without resolution. The international community watches closely as investigations into Afolabi Stephen’s death unfold.
