17/09/2026
Six Years Later, Autopsy Reveals What Happened To Journalist Pelumi Onifade
A long-awaited post-mortem report from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has revealed that journalist Pelumi Onifade died from a penetrating firearm injury to the abdomen, resulting in massive internal bleeding.
Onifade, a reporter with Gboah TV, disappeared on October 24, 2020, after he was reportedly taken away by security personnel while covering an incident in Lagos. His remains were later discovered at a mortuary in Ikorodu.
According to the nine-page post-mortem report, the body examined was initially identified as No. 1385. DNA analysis conducted by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre subsequently confirmed that the remains belonged to Onifade.
The report, signed on July 30, 2026, stated that the cause of death was “massive haemoperitoneum” and “penetrating fi****ms injury to the abdomen.”
The pathologist explained that the large quantity of blood found inside the abdominal cavity was consistent with a firearm injury and the ricochet of a projectile.
The examination also revealed significant injuries, including bony fragments embedded in the soft tissue of the abdomen, findings which were consistent with a penetrating firearm injury.
The report further stated that the projectile travelled posterior-to-anterior, right-to-left and infero-superior. This means it entered from the back and travelled towards the front, from the right side towards the left and upward through the body.
The pathologist also reported that there was no external evidence of significant natural disease.
However, while the post-mortem report establishes the medical cause of death, questions surrounding the circumstances of the shooting and who was responsible remain before the coroner’s inquest.
BACK STORY
On October 24, 2020, Onifade was reportedly taken away by police officers attached to the Lagos task force while covering a mob attack at a government facility in the Agege area of Lagos.
He was reportedly taken away despite wearing a jacket identifying him as a reporter.
Days later, Gboah TV announced that his body had been discovered at a mortuary in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
On July 19, 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the state government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of Onifade’s death and identify those responsible.
The coroner commenced proceedings in October 2024.
On November 18, 2025, the coroner ordered LASUTH to conduct a post-mortem examination on the unidentified body tagged No. 1385, which had been received from Ikorodu Hospital.
The report was reportedly delayed by the protracted strike at LASUTH.
In June 2026, a DNA test presented by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre confirmed that the unidentified remains belonged to Onifade.
The coroner’s inquest has now been adjourned until October 6, 2026, when further proceedings are expected to continue.
