Olabisi Olawale Toluwani, a Nigerian citizen from Oyo State, seeking refugee protection from the Canadian government because my life is in danger. If I am sent back to Nigeria, I will be at great risk due to my role as a witness to a violent crime, where I possess clear evidence against the perpetrators.
I have always tried to be a law-abiding citizen, believing in justice and the importance of reporting crimes. However, my experience has shown me that in Nigeria, those responsible for upholding the law are often working against it. I reported a criminal incident to the authorities, but soon after, I realized that the criminals knew my every move. The only logical explanation is that my information was leaked by the very officials I had trusted.
Nigeria is widely known to be struggling with severe security challenges, including Boko Haram terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. However, in the urban area where I lived at 20 Seaside Estate, Badore, Ajah, Lagos. The primary threats were armed robbery and kidnapping. The situation worsened after the #EndSARS protest in 2020, which exposed deep flaws in Nigeria’s security system and allowed criminals to operate with even greater confidence.
Starting in 2020, armed robbers frequently invaded my area in Ajah, Lagos, attacking residents, looting properties, and kidnapping people for ransom. Police would arrive only after the crimes had already taken place, and even when victims paid the ransom, the kidnappers often still killed them.
On July 6, 2021, a group of criminals attacked my compound and robbed my neighbor, Mr. Seyi. They looted his belongings, then killed him after raping his wife and 16-year-old daughter. Despite the brutality of the crime, the case went nowhere, no one trusted the police to take action.
Earlier, on March 12, 2021, my family and I were also victims of an armed robbery. The attackers stole our money and tortured us, despite our pleas. We reported the crime to the police, but nothing was done. Shockingly, on November 30, 2021, the same criminals returned to rob another neighbor, Ayodeji. He was shot in the leg for resisting. After the attack, Ayodeji revealed that the robbers had openly said they were retaliating against those who reported them to the police. This confirmed that they knew exactly who had spoken up and that I was in danger.
Fearing for our lives, my family and I moved to another part of Lagos, settling at 14 Tokura Street, Kola Bus-Stop, Alagbado. However, within two months, the criminals tracked us down. One night, as I stood near a window, I saw three armed men in our compound. One of them, whom his gang called “Killer,” had previously tortured me. Realizing the danger, I quickly recorded a video of them on my phone. Unfortunately, they saw me and started chasing me. I managed to escape, but my brother, Tolu, was not as lucky. They kidnapped him and demanded that my family hand me over. When we could not, they executed him.
I reported this to the police, but I knew I could not stay in Nigeria any longer. My information had clearly been leaked again, and I was constantly on the run.
By early 2023, my situation had become unbearable. On January 24, 2023, while hiding in Plateau State, the criminals found me again. That day, they murdered my friend, Austin Emmanuel, simply for giving me shelter. Fortunately, I was not home at the time. This was the final sign that I could not survive in Nigeria.
Back in June 2021, my mother had already sought help from a visa agent to get me out of the country. The agent recommended Canada as the safest option for me. My visa application was submitted on June 2, 2021, and after nearly two years of waiting, it was approved on April 5, 2023. During that time, I continued to face threats, moving from place to place to avoid being killed.
I finally arrived in Canada on September 26, 2023. Returning to Nigeria is not an option for me. The criminals who murdered my brother and my friend are still looking for me. They know I have evidence against them and would not hesitate to kill me if I return. The Nigerian police have proven unreliable and even complicit in leaking my information.
I seek protection in Canada so that I can live without fear, knowing that my life is not constantly at risk.
