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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has assured that it will investigate the death of Afolabi Stephen Opaso, a 19-year-old Nigerian student killed by the Canadian police.
NiDCOM chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave the assurance in a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, on Thursday.
Opaso was killed on December 31, 2023 after police responded to a 911 call regarding a male acting erratically from an apartment suite in the first 100 block of University Crescent in Winnipeg, according to authorities.
“Upon police arrival, they were confronted by an armed male. During this encounter, an officer discharged their firearm, striking the male. Officers provided immediate medical care and ensured the wellbeing of all other parties on scene. Nobody else was injured,” a statement by the police said.
The police added that “The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) has been notified and has assumed responsibility for the investigation.”
Reacting, Dabiri-Erewa described the student’s killing as wicked.
“We are in touch with the Nigerian mission in Ottawa who have the assurances of the Canadian authorities that investigations into the unfortunate incident has begun and will be thorough,” she added.
The NiDCOM chairperson offered condolences to Opaso’s family and friends.