By Akinwale Kasali
After years of unending investigation over the circumstances that led to the disappearance and subsequent death of young Journalist, Pelumi Onifade of Gboah TV, while covering the #EndSars protest in 2020, a Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Postmortem report has confirmed that Onifade died from a penetrating firearm injury to the abdomen.
The report issued by the LASUTH Postmortem stated that the firearm projectile caused extensive abdominal injuries and massive internal bleeding.
Recall that Onifade was a young journalist with Gboah TV who was reportedly shot and arrested while covering events in Lagos on October 24, 2020. His whereabouts remained unknown for several years, until recently when his body was found in a mortuary.
The findings by the LASUTH postmortem was disclosed by Media Rights Agenda, MRA, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in a nine-page postmortem report, listed the cause of death as “massive haemoperitoneum” and “penetrating firearms injury to the abdomen.”
Massive haemoperitoneum refers to a severe accumulation of blood inside the abdominal cavity.
It was gathered that the projectile entered through Onifade’s lower back and caused extensive internal damage.
It also recorded bone fragments embedded in the abdominal soft tissue and a fracture of the fifth lumbar vertebra.
According to the pathologist, the projectile travelled from the back towards the front, from right to left and from a lower to a higher position.
Consultant pathologist, Prof. Sunday Sokunle Soyemi conducted the examination, with Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa present as supervising consultant.
The report was finalised and signed on July 30, 2026. The body examined was initially identified as number 1385.
DNA analysis by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre later confirmed that the remains were Onifade’s.
Following this development, the postmortem report has been submitted to the Coroner’s court investigating the death of Onifade.
The inquest followed a 2024 Federal High Court judgment directing the Lagos State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding Onifade’s death.
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court had directed authorities to conduct a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of death and identify those responsible.
The legal action was initiated by Media Rights Agenda, MRA, against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force.
The coroner’s proceedings have examined the circumstances surrounding Onifade’s disappearance and death.
The latest forensic findings established that his fatal injuries resulted from a firearm projectile.
However, the question of who fired the weapon and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain matters for the ongoing legal proceedings.
The coroner’s inquest has been adjourned until October 6, 2026.
The proceedings are expected to continue examining evidence surrounding Onifade’s death and the events leading to his disappearance.
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