Sunday Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic killing of 19-year-old Nigerian student Stephen Afolabi Opaso in Manitoba, Canada, by the Winnipeg Police Service on December 31, 2023.
In a statement released on Saturday, Asefon condemned the incident as barbaric and heartless, urging the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to ensure that the case is not overlooked. Asefon expressed concerns over the perceived racial motivation behind the killing, emphasizing that the police officers might have reacted differently if the student were white.
Asefon reassured the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Nigerian student community that they would diligently follow the case until Canadian authorities provide a true account of Opaso’s death and compensate his family appropriately. He warned of potential diplomatic tensions and the closure of the Canadian embassy in Nigeria if no action is taken within three working days.
Human rights lawyer Tolu Babaleye echoed Asefon’s sentiments, emphasizing that the force applied by the Canadian police was excessively disproportionate to the perceived threat Opaso posed. Babaleye called for a proper investigation and stressed the need for justice, acknowledging the diplomatic sensitivity of the case and the strong relationship between Nigeria and Canada.
Babaleye noted that the incident would require careful handling due to the diplomatic ties between the two countries, urging wisdom in addressing the matter. Opaso’s tragic death has sparked concerns about the use of force and the protection of Nigerian students studying abroad, prompting calls for accountability and justice in this unfortunate incident.
