The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has mandated an autopsy on the late Inspector Yusuf Suleiman Blessing after his family raised concerns over the circumstances of his death.
Inspector Yusuf was declared missing on January 27, 2025, after last being seen at his duty post wearing a blue vest and green track pants. A search operation was launched, and two days later, officers from the Marine Police discovered his body floating in a river.
Following the discovery, the authorities notified his family and transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further examination. According to police reports, an initial inspection of the body showed no visible injuries except for swelling on his head.
However, when the remains were handed over for burial, the family alleged that the body had signs of burns, contradicting the official claim that he had drowned. This sparked demands for a more thorough investigation.
Initially, the family declined an autopsy and requested an immediate burial, a request the police honored while covering the transportation costs to Akure. However, growing concerns from the family and the public have now prompted the police commissioner to authorize a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
While police statements suggested the case was one of sudden and unnatural death with no evidence of foul play, the autopsy is expected to provide a clearer understanding of the circumstances leading to Inspector Yusuf’s demise.