Toronto police have arrested Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Nigerian woman, following a viral audio recording in which she allegedly threatened violence against Yoruba and Edo individuals residing in Canada. The recording, reportedly made on TikTok, contained disturbing threats to poison and kill members of these communities.
The Toronto Police Service apprehended Amaka on September 1 after receiving multiple reports about the threatening content posted around August 25, 2024. She has been charged with Uttering Threats and is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice on September 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 107.
The police are treating this case as a suspected hate-motivated offence. The statement from Toronto Police Service highlighted that hate crimes are taken seriously, with investigations potentially supported by the Hate Crime Unit (HCU). The legal process will consider any hate-motivated elements as aggravating factors in sentencing if Amaka is convicted.
Amaka’s threats reportedly included plans to poison Yoruba colleagues at her workplace, reflecting her frustration over perceived marginalization of Igbos by other Nigerian ethnic groups. The audio recording spurred swift reactions from Nigerian community leaders and members of the Nigerian House of Representatives, who demanded her immediate arrest and legal action.
In response to the allegations, Amaka dismissed the calls for her arrest, claiming her Canadian citizenship would protect her from deportation or further legal repercussions.
This case underscores the serious nature of hate speech and its potential to incite violence, and it highlights the importance of addressing such threats promptly to ensure community safety and uphold justice.
