DNA Finally Confirms Identity of Slain #EndSARS Journalist Pelumi Onifade — Six Years After His Disappearance

For nearly six years, the family of Pelumi Emmanuel Onifade lived in painful uncertainty. The young journalist and Gboah TV intern vanished on 24 October 2020 while covering the #EndSARS protests in Lagos. Now, a DNA test has finally confirmed that an unidentified body discovered in a mortuary in Ikorodu was indeed his.

The confirmation brings a measure of closure to one of the most heartbreaking cases to emerge from the 2020 protests — but it also reignites calls for full accountability and justice.

The Tragic Events of October 2020

Pelumi, then a 20-year-old 200-level History student at Tai Solarin University of Education, was interning as a reporter with Gboah TV. On that fateful day, he went to the Abule Egba/Agege area to document the demonstrations against police brutality.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing him, wearing his press jacket, shot and arrested by officers attached to the Lagos State Task Force. He was dragged into a police van. That was the last time he was seen alive.

Days later, his family launched a desperate search. His body was eventually found at the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary, tagged as an unidentified corpse. For years, forensic challenges — including issues with DNA samples — prevented positive identification.

The DNA Breakthrough

In 2026, during the ongoing coroner’s inquest, fresh DNA testing was conducted using samples provided by Pelumi’s mother. The results, confirmed by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, established a match. The body tagged No. 1385 was officially identified as Pelumi Emmanuel Onifade.

The confirmation has been described as a significant step, but the family continues to push for a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and for the prosecution of those responsible.

Police and Government Response

The Ogun and Lagos State authorities have faced criticism over the handling of the case. While some progress has been made through the coroner’s inquest, many activists and media rights groups argue that justice has been too slow. The case remains a symbol of the risks journalists face and the challenges of holding security forces accountable.

A Voice Silenced During #EndSARS

Pelumi Onifade was not just another statistic from the #EndSARS protests. He was a passionate young reporter determined to document history as it unfolded. His disappearance and death became emblematic of the violence and impunity that marred the movement.

For his family, the years of not knowing — of hoping against hope while fighting for answers — added immeasurable pain to an already devastating loss.

Why This Story Still Matters

The DNA confirmation is a victory for truth and persistence, but it does not erase the larger issues. Attacks on journalists, lack of accountability for security forces, and the slow pace of justice continue to be challenges in Nigeria.

Pelumi’s case reminds us of the human cost of demanding reform and the importance of protecting those who document our shared struggles. Six years on, his family still seeks full closure and justice.

Rest in Peace, Pelumi Emmanuel Onifade. Your sacrifice and the fight for truth will not be forgotten.

The coroner’s inquest continues, and the call for justice remains loud. Nigerians and media rights advocates will keep watching to ensure that this young voice silenced during #EndSARS receives the full measure of accountability it deserves.