Mr. Sunday Asefon, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic killing of 19-year-old Nigerian student Stephen Opaso in Canada.
Asefon condemned the incident as barbaric and heartless, vowing to engage with the Canadian High Commission and collaborate with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure justice and prevent the matter from being overlooked.
Opaso, known as Zigi, was fatally shot by Winnipeg Police Service on Dec. 31, 2023, during an encounter where he was alleged to be wielding a knife and experiencing a mental health crisis.
Asefon also raised concerns about the perceived racial motivation behind the incident, pledging to follow the case diligently and ensure the family receives appropriate compensation to avoid diplomatic tensions with Nigeria.
He urged Nigerian students in Canada to remain calm, assuring them of his commitment to pursuing justice.
