Members of the Nigerian Association of Manitoba are grieving the untimely demise of 19-year-old Afolabi Stephen, who lost his life in an incident involving the Winnipeg, Manitoba Police Department on December 31, 2023.
While the specific details surrounding his tragic death remain unclear, the Winnipeg Police Department released a statement on its website, Winnipeg.ca, explaining that officers responded to a call concerning a young male exhibiting “erratic” behavior.
Upon their arrival, attempts to pacify the young man proved unsuccessful, leading to the use of a firearm by the police, resulting in the fatal outcome.
The Nigerian community in Manitoba mourns the loss of a promising young 19-Year-Old and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Afolabi Stephen’s 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.
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“The male was transported to the hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries.”
In the wake of his passing, the Nigerian Association in Manitoba, Canada, expressed their condolences in a statement issued by President Vera Keyede.
The association extended sympathies to the bereaved family and appealed to the Nigerian community to remain composed during the ongoing investigations.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Association of Manitoba wishes to express her deepest concern and regret over the unfortunate incident involving the shooting that led to the death of a Nigerian international student, by the Winnipeg Police Service on the 31st of December 2023.
“We extend our condolences to the deceased family of the 19-Year-Old student and friends. We understand the anxiety, frustration, sadness and distress this incident has caused within our community. We plead with everyone not to engage in any activity that may cause any tension or hinder the process of investigation and the law.
“This is a challenging time for all of us, we need the Nigerian community to remain calm and composed as investigations are underway. We acknowledge the community’s right to seek answers and justice for one of our own. NAMI is closely monitoring the situation and seeking guidance on how to proceed.
“NAMI will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available to us. We extend our support to those directly or indirectly affected by this unfortunate incident and we cannot over-emphasise the need for solidarity during these challenging times.” #19-Year-Old Student.