A Nigerian man is seeking refugee protection in Canada, claiming his life is at risk after witnessing a violent crime and reporting it to the authorities.
Olabisi Olawale Toluwani, 33, from Oyo State, Nigeria, arrived in Canada in September 2023, fearing for his safety after being relentlessly pursued by criminals he had reported to the police. He believes corrupt security forces leaked his information, making him a target.
“I risked everything—my life, my family—to do the right thing, only to find myself in greater danger,” Toluwani told reporters. “The very authorities that should protect us are working with criminals instead.”
Toluwani’s ordeal began in Lagos in 2021 when he witnessed the brutal killing of a neighbour during a robbery. The assailants, after looting the victim’s home, also raped his wife and daughter before murdering him. When Toluwani reported the crime, he soon realised that the police were compromised.
Months later, the criminals returned, attacking his residence again. “They shouted, ‘Where are those bastards who reported us to the police?’” he recalled. “It was clear I was a marked man.”
After narrowly escaping another attack, Toluwani managed to capture a video of the assailants. But this only worsened his situation—one of them recognised him, and they began hunting him down. His younger brother was kidnapped and later killed when Toluwani refused to surrender himself.
For two years, he fled from state to state within Nigeria. “I never stayed in one place for long, but they always found me,” he said. In January 2023, his close friend, Austin Emmanuel, was murdered for sheltering him. “I was lucky I wasn’t home at the time, but it was a clear message.”
Realising he had no safe haven in Nigeria, Toluwani’s family sought the help of an immigration agent, who advised him to seek asylum in Canada. His visa was approved in April 2023, and he arrived in the country five months later.
Now in Canada, Toluwani remains fearful. “I have reason to believe they know I’m here,” he said. “If I am sent back to Nigeria, I will not survive.”
Nigeria continues to grapple with severe security challenges, including armed robberies, kidnappings, and police corruption. While authorities claim they are making efforts to curb crime, human rights groups say law enforcement is often complicit.
Toluwani has submitted his refugee claim to the Canadian government, hoping for a chance at safety. “All I want is to live without fear,” he said.