The Chairperson, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has assured that there would be investigations into the death of Afolabi Stephen, a 19-year-old Nigerian student in Canada, murdered by the country’s police.
Dabiri-Erewa said that the investigations that have started would be thorough according to a statement issued by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
Stephen 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 Manitoba, 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.
“We are in touch with the Nigerians 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 Stephen’s family and friends, and offered a prayer to God for his soul.
