The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has directed that an autopsy be conducted on the late Inspector Yusuf Suleiman Blessing following concerns raised by his family over the circumstances of his death.
Inspector Yusuf was reported missing on January 27, 2025, after he was last seen at a police station dressed in a blue vest and green track pants.
A search effort was launched, and two days later, officers from the Marine Police discovered his body floating in a river.
The police informed his family about the discovery and handed the case over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further examination.
An initial assessment of the body reportedly showed no visible injuries except for swelling on his head.
However, upon receiving the remains for burial, the family claimed that the body appeared burnt, contradicting the official police report that he had drowned.
This discrepancy led to calls for a deeper probe into the cause of death.
Initially, the family declined an autopsy and requested a swift burial, a request that was granted by the police, who also covered the cost of transporting the body to Akure.
However, amid mounting concerns from both the family and the public, the police commissioner has now ordered a full autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.
While initial police findings suggested that there was no foul play and that the incident was a case of sudden and unnatural death, the autopsy is expected to provide a more conclusive explanation of what transpired.