The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic killing of 19-year-old Nigerian student, Stephen Afolabi Opaso, in Manitoba, Canada. Asefon condemned the incident, describing it as barbaric and heartless.
In a statement on Saturday, Asefon urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to ensure that the incident is not overlooked. He expressed concerns about the possibility of racial motivation, stating that the police officers might have acted differently if the victim were white.
Asefon emphasized, “The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of NIDCOM should ensure that the incident is not swept under the carpet. NANS and the entire Nigerian students should remain calm. We will follow the case up diligently until the Canadian authorities give a true account of the death of the Nigerian Student and compensate his family accordingly.”
Supporting Asefon’s stance, human rights lawyer Tolu Babaleye called on the Federal Government to ensure justice is served. He criticized the excessive force applied by the Canadian police, stating that even if the victim had a knife, alternative means of disarming him should have been explored.
Babaleye highlighted the diplomatic implications of the incident, stressing the need for a wise and careful handling of the situation due to the strong relationship between Nigeria and Canada. He urged that the incident should be investigated properly, considering the nuances of Canadian law and international diplomacy.
The tragic killing has sparked concerns among Nigerian authorities and advocates, prompting calls for justice and a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Stephen Afolabi Opaso’s death in Canada.