A homicide investigation into the suspected ritual murder of 28-year-old Nelson Anyana has led the Ghana Police Service to uncover multiple human remains buried at a shrine in Gblorkope, in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The operation, led by the Police Homicide Unit, followed the disappearance of Nelson, whose body was found buried beneath idols at the shrine. During the search, police also discovered three additional skeletal remains and other human body parts buried in nearby bushes, believed to belong to other victims.
So far, six suspects have been arrested and arraigned before a district court in Ho. They include: Augustina Fiawoyife, unemployed; Wisdom Hedidor, an herbalist; and Courage Bedzo, a kente weaver.
Also arrested are three siblings who operate the shrine: Gblor Noah (alias Ekpedzi), 37, fetish priest; Gblor John, 38, security guard; and Gblor Johannes, 27, lotto writer.
According to police investigations, the case began when Comfort Hatse, Nelson’s mother and a trader from Donkorkrom, reported her son missing on December 17, 2024. Nelson had reportedly left home on December 4 to meet Augustina but never returned.
Investigators revealed that Augustina was in a relationship with Wisdom Hedidor, who allegedly grew jealous of Nelson’s involvement with her. Hedidor, together with Courage Bedzo, reportedly plotted to kill Nelson after receiving information from Gblor Noah, the shrine priest, who was seeking a human body for rituals in exchange for money.
On December 12, 2024, Augustina allegedly lured Nelson to a secluded spot near DC Bungalow, a suburb of Adidome. As they spoke, Hedidor and Bedzo reportedly emerged and strangled him to death. Augustina is said to have witnessed the act but did not intervene.
The body was then sold to Gblor Noah and his brother Johannes for ¢7,000. Police say the remains were taken to the Gblorkope shrine, used for ritual purposes, and later buried under one of the shrine’s idols.
All six suspects are facing charges of abetment of crime, to wit, murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.
Police have assured the public that forensic tests are underway to identify the additional remains, which could reveal a broader network of ritual killings linked to the shrine.
The discoveries have sparked widespread outrage among residents, with calls for a thorough investigation and justice for all victims.
The Ghana Police Service has pledged to pursue the case fully and ensure that all those involved are held accountable.
By Peter Quao Adattor
