Posted by Chinenye on Fri 18th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
A new postmortem report has confirmed that journalist Pelumi Onifade died after being shot in the stomach while covering the #EndSARS protest in Lagos in 2020.
(Pelumi Onifade. Photo by TheCable)
A postmortem examination has confirmed that journalist Pelumi Onifade died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen while covering the #EndSARS protest in Lagos in October 2020.
The injury caused massive internal bleeding, according to the report from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Onifade was shot and arrested on October 24, 2020, while covering the protests.
The postmortem was done on November 4, 2020, but the report was only finalised and signed on July 30, 2026.
The pathologist found the bullet entered through the back, travelled towards the front and moved from right to left.
The findings also showed bone fragments embedded in soft tissue and a fractured vertebra, consistent with a gunshot injury.
Media Rights Agenda, which has pushed for accountability over the killing, disclosed the findings on Thursday.
The organisation and Onifade's family are part of an ongoing Lagos State coroner's inquest into his death.
A federal court in July 2024 ordered the Lagos State Government to investigate the circumstances of Onifade's death, determine the cause and identify and prosecute those responsible.
The #EndSARS protests erupted in October 2020 over police brutality by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The demonstrations spread nationwide as youths demanded police reform. Security forces used teargas and gunshots to disperse protesters across the country.