Ondo CP Orders Autopsy on Late Police Inspector Amid Family’s Allegations
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has directed that an autopsy be conducted on the late Inspector Yusuf Suleiman Blessing following concerns raised by his family regarding the circumstances of his death.
The family alleged foul play after his body was brought home for burial, claiming they were initially told he drowned, only to later find his corpse burned when they opened the coffin.
Ondo police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed in a statement that the inspector’s body was found two days after he was declared missing.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that on the 27th of January 2025, towards evening time, no one could give an account of the presence of the late inspector in the station. Immediately, the DPO directed a search party to trace his whereabouts, as he was last seen wearing a blue vest and green tracksuit trousers.
“Two days later, the officer in charge of the Police Marine informed the DPO of the discovery of a corpse lying face down in a river. On close observation, it was discovered that the body was that of Inspector Yusuf Suleiman.
“The family of the deceased was informed of the incident, and in a bid to unravel the circumstances that led to his death, the CP directed the state CID to take over the case.”
Odunlami added that an autopsy was initially proposed, but the family rejected the idea and requested immediate burial, which the police granted.
“As a result of the demand by the family, the body was recovered from the morgue, with the police bearing the financial cost, and conveyed to his home in Akure.
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“It is worthy of note that the cloth last seen on the deceased was found intact on his body when his corpse was discovered, ruling out any suspicion of arson, as there was no mark of burn or physical violence on his body.
“Despite preliminary investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department establishing a case of sudden and unnatural death with no foul play suspected, the Commissioner of Police has ordered that a full autopsy be carried out to determine the cause of death in response to the family’s allegations and for public interest.”
The police have assured the public of a thorough investigation to uncover the true circumstances surrounding Inspector Yusuf’s death.
