Nigerian Association of Manitoba (NAMI) is mourning the death of a 19-year-old Nigerian, Afolabi Stephen, who was killed by policemen on December 31, 2023.
The details of his death are still unclear but the Winnipeg, Manitoba Police Department, in a statement posted on its website revealed that its officers responded to a call about a young individual who was acting “erratically”.
The police stated that upon arrival, every effort to calm the young man proved abortive and this led to the discharge of a firearm which eventually led to his death.
The statement read: “On December 31, 2023, at approximately 2:22 pm, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to an apartment suite in the first 100 block of University Crescent for a 911 call regarding a male acting erratically. The caller advised the male may be armed and there were other people in the suite.
“Upon police arrival, they were confronted by an armed male. During this encounter, an officer discharged his firearm, striking the male. Officers provided immediate medical care and ensured the well-being of all other parties on the scene. Nobody else was injured.
“The male was transported to the hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries.”
While mourning Afolabi’s death, NAMI in a statement signed by its newly elected President, Vera Keyede, offered condolences to the family of the deceased and urged the Nigerian community to remain calm while investigations continue.
