The Nigerian community in Canada has been thrown into deep mourning after two children Amna Ayomide Bennett and Damilola Khalid Afolabi died seven days apart in separate incidents across two provinces.

The Peoples Gazette gathered that authorities were not treating either incident as suspicious, as initial assessments indicated they were accidental deaths.

The CBC news reported that the incident involving six-year-old Bennet occurred on April 26 when she reportedly fell from the bedroom window of a 28-floor apartment in North York, Toronto, Ontario.

The Toronto Police confirmed that they were called to the scene of the incident near Chalkfarm Drive and Jane Street around 8:15 p.m. on that day when officers discovered the body of the victim. 

Investigators didn’t confirm the floor the girl had fallen from but police spokesperson Amy Davey said it was from “very high level.” Bennet’s parents were said to be living on the 28th floor of the building. 

“It does not appear to be suspicious, but the investigation is ongoing,” Ms Davey added. 

Neighours described the incident as shocking, including one Jahlique James, who told the media that she used to see the child and her mother around the building. 

“It’s just very heartbreaking,” she said. “My heart goes out to the family.”

Greenwin, the property management company of the apartment, through its spokesperson, Stephen Adler said the organisation was sad about the incident, noting they were “fully cooperating” with police investigation. 

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our hearts and sympathies are with the child’s family and all others affected,” the company stated. 

Meanwhile, Afolabi‘s case happened in Calgary last week Sunday after he drowned in Mahogany Lake while playing basketball with friends just over a month after the family relocated from Ghana to Canada in pursuit of a better life. 

The victim’s father Jubreel Afolabi narrated that his son told him he wanted to play outside the house after returning from church, which was the last time he saw him alive. 

However, reports stated that the victim jumped into the lake off its dock and the 12-year-old boy, who didn’t know how to swim, failed to resurface. 

“He is a good guy. On Sunday my son came from church and he said he wanted to play a little at the front of the house and that was the end. I never saw my son again,” Mr Afolabi said. 

He added, “When we were about to leave Ghana, Dami said ‘Daddy, thank you for the good life you are going to give us in Canada. I didn’t know that my son would never be with me at this moment.”

The victim was buried at a cemetery in Calgary on Wednesday after firefighters found his body inside the lake. 

A spokesman for the family, Patrick Adda, stated, “They came here, they had no one. All of us here are like angels that came into their lives to see how best we can help them migrate into the best place to live and work, which is Calgary.”

The cases sparked reactions from netizens, with many sending condolence messages, while others called on families to be more cautious about their children. 

“This is heartbreaking. I hope property managers carefully consider the unique safety needs of families with kids when assigning units in high-rise buildings,” Instagram user @thebenayeni, a Nigerian based in Canada, said.

Another Canada-based Nigerian @edithifeyinwafentzy, commented “As a parent with kids u have no business with high rising apartments never go for a lower apartment if possible pick the main floor not upstairs.”

“Hmmmm, May the souls of the little ones rest in peace. Children will beat you to anything no matter how careful or protective you are, May we NOT BE tested,” @omotoyosi07 stated.