Wait for answers continues 1 year after 19-year-old fatally shot by Winnipeg police

Manitoba’s Nigerian community is still mourning the loss of Afolabi Opaso, the international student who was fatally shot by police almost a year ago. As the first anniversary of his death approaches, they continue to seek answers that have yet to come.

Vera Keyede, the president of Manitoba’s Nigerian Association, expressed the community’s ongoing sadness over the tragic incident. Opaso, a 19-year-old international student from Nigeria attending the University of Manitoba, was shot dead by Winnipeg police officers in response to a check wellbeing call at an apartment building on December 31, 2023.

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU), which investigates serious incidents involving police in Manitoba, has been handling the case. According to then-police chief Danny Smyth, Opaso was armed with two knives at the time of the shooting. However, Opaso’s family lawyer, Jean-René Dominique Kwilu, stated that Opaso was experiencing a mental health episode on the day of his death.

The investigation into Opaso’s death was handed over to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) in January to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. Despite the ASIRT’s ongoing investigation, Opaso’s family and the Nigerian community are still awaiting clear answers and accountability for his death.

The delay in the ASIRT report has been particularly frustrating for Keyede, who likened it to a slap in the face. She emphasized the Nigerian belief that “injustice to one is injustice to all” and expressed her ongoing anger and frustration over the preventable nature of Opaso’s death.

Keyede hopes that Opaso’s legacy will not be forgotten and that his tragic death will lead to positive change. She believes that the investigation’s findings could prompt police and authorities to reassess their protocols for handling cases involving mental health issues.

As Opaso’s family prepares to speak to the media at a news conference, the Nigerian community remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice for the young student whose life was cut short. They are determined to ensure that Opaso’s memory is honored and that steps are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.