Authorities in Central Tongu have uncovered fresh evidence in the chilling ritual murder of Nelson Anyana, discovering more human remains and disturbing paraphernalia during a high-stakes raid on another shrine believed to be connected to the crime.
The latest discovery was made at a shrine in Mafi Awakpedome, a community near Adidome in the Central Tongu District. The operation was carried out by officers from the Adidome District Police Command with support from the Homicide Unit, Crime Scene Unit, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
This development deepens the case involving six suspects—three of whom are members of the notorious Gblor family—all currently in custody for their alleged roles in the murder.
The shrine at Mafi Awakpedome is linked to two of the suspects: Courage Bedzo, also known as Dzidefo, a local kente weaver, and his associate, herbalist Wisdom Hedidor. During the search, investigators exhumed human skulls, ribs, limbs, and other body parts buried beneath idol structures within the shrine.
A Ghana News Agency (GNA) team that accompanied the operation described a macabre scene. Among the items found were a Bible, boxes stuffed with paper resembling currency, and a photograph of a young woman believed to be a resident of Adidome.
This raid comes on the heels of earlier police actions targeting shrines operated by the Gblor siblings, who have been accused of coordinating with Bedzo, Hedidor, and Augustina Fiawoyife—the deceased’s girlfriend—in the gruesome killing.
Police say Anyana, who went missing on December 4, 2024, was lured to his death in a plot allegedly spearheaded by Fiawoyife. Investigations suggest she and her two accomplices sold his body to the Gblor family for ritual purposes in exchange for GH¢7,000.
Speaking to the press, a senior police official condemned the acts as “barbaric” and reaffirmed the resolve of the security services to root out ritual practices masquerading as traditional healing.
“We will not rest until every ritual ground in this district is investigated and dismantled. The safety of our people is non-negotiable,” the officer declared.
The Paramount Chief of Mafi Awakpedome and Awafiaga of the Mafi Traditional Council, Torgbe Awudza Adabla XV, also denounced the acts in strong terms. He pledged the full support of the traditional council to assist police efforts in rooting out criminal elements hiding under the guise of herbalism.
“We will work hand-in-hand with the police to ensure this never happens again,” Torgbe Adabla said, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
All suspects in the case have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of crime. They are expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days as police finalize their case with the latest discoveries.
Meanwhile, security agencies are urging residents to stay calm and cooperate fully as the investigation expands to other parts of the district. Authorities suspect the existence of a wider ritual network and are determined to dismantle it.
The case of Nelson Anyana has sent shockwaves through the Central Tongu District, as communities confront the grim reality of ritual killings occurring in their midst. For investigators and residents alike, the mission is now clear: uncover the full extent of the network and bring every perpetrator to justice.
