A 38 year old Nigerian caregiver, Oghenemaro Ejerua, has been arrested by the Toronto Police Service in Canada over allegations that he assaulted vulnerable adults while working at a group home in the city, sparking renewed concerns about the safety of residents in care facilities and the vetting of caregivers.
According to information obtained by PUNCH Metro from a statement published on the Toronto Police Service website on Tuesday, Ejerua was taken into custody after he had been declared wanted by the police in December 2025 following reports of abuse at a group home located in the Sibley Avenue and Dentonia Park Avenue area of Toronto.
Police said Ejerua was employed as a caregiver at the facility between November 1 and November 30, 2025, a period during which he allegedly committed multiple assaults against residents who were described as vulnerable adults under supervised care.
The Toronto Police Service disclosed that the matter came to public attention on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, when officers responded to a distress call reporting an assault at the group home.
“On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at approximately 9 a.m., police responded to a call for an assault in the Sibley Avenue and Dentonia Park Avenue area,” the police statement read.
“It is alleged that the suspect was employed as a caregiver at a group home for vulnerable adults between November 1 and November 30, 2025. During this period, the accused committed a series of assaults on the residents of the home.”
Following the initial report, police launched an investigation which included interviews with victims, staff members and management of the care facility. As the probe progressed, investigators identified Ejerua as the primary suspect and subsequently declared him wanted while efforts were made to locate him.
After a manhunt that lasted several weeks, Ejerua was eventually arrested by officers of the Toronto Police Service. Authorities did not immediately disclose the circumstances surrounding his arrest, but confirmed that he was taken into custody without incident.
In an update issued after his arrest, police said Ejerua had been formally charged with seven counts of assault, reflecting the number of alleged incidents involving residents of the group home.
“Oghenemaro Dave Ejerua, 38, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with seven counts of assault,” the statement said.
Police further disclosed that he was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice to answer to the charges.
“He was scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in room 106,” the statement added.
The alleged assaults have raised serious questions about the protection of vulnerable adults in residential care facilities, particularly those who depend on caregivers for daily support and supervision. Advocacy groups in Canada have repeatedly called for stricter oversight of group homes, noting that residents often lack the capacity to speak up or defend themselves against abuse.
Although police did not release details about the nature of the assaults or the condition of the victims, officials said the investigation remains ongoing and urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
The Toronto Police Service also appealed to members of the public who may have had contact with the suspect during his period of employment to assist investigators, stressing that safeguarding vulnerable individuals remains a top priority.
Ejerua’s arrest has also attracted attention within the Nigerian community in Canada, where leaders have expressed concern about the negative impact such cases could have on the image of law abiding Nigerians living abroad.
Community representatives emphasised that the alleged actions of individuals should not be used to stigmatise an entire community, while also calling for accountability and justice for victims.
Ejerua is not the first Nigerian to be arrested in Canada in recent weeks in connection with serious criminal allegations. PUNCH Metro reported on Thursday that Toronto Police also arrested a 28 year old Nigerian, Babatunde Afuwape, in connection with the killing of a 20 year old university student, Shivank Avasthi.
According to police, Afuwape was charged with murder over the incident, which reportedly occurred on December 23, 2025. The case drew widespread attention and sparked public debate about violence, public safety and crime prevention in Canadian cities.
While authorities have not drawn any link between the two cases beyond the nationality of the suspects, the incidents have renewed discussions around crime reporting and the importance of distinguishing individual criminal responsibility from broader immigrant communities.
Canadian officials have consistently stressed that crime statistics should be viewed in context and that the vast majority of immigrants, including Nigerians, contribute positively to society and abide by the law.
Meanwhile, legal experts say Ejerua is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court and will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations during judicial proceedings. If convicted, the charges could carry significant legal consequences, including imprisonment.
As the case moves through the courts, attention will remain focused on the welfare of the alleged victims and the steps being taken to prevent similar incidents in care facilities across Toronto and other parts of Canada.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that group homes and caregiving environments are safe spaces for vulnerable individuals, adding that any breach of trust by caregivers will be met with the full force of the law.
The Toronto Police Service encouraged anyone with information related to the case or similar incidents to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers, assuring the public that tips can be provided anonymously.
For now, the arrest of Oghenemaro Ejerua marks another chapter in an ongoing effort by Canadian law enforcement to hold individuals accountable for alleged abuse and to reinforce protections for those who are least able to protect themselves.
