Residents of Anloga-Avume Electoral area in the Anloga District of the Volta Region are in shock after unidentified grave looters exhumed a corpse at the Avume cemetery.
The incident was discovered on Monday, February 24, at about 0730 hours, when the looters left the body exposed with other clothing used for the burial scattered around the grave.
Daniel Agboka, the Assembly member for the area, said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that the culprits had yet to be identified.
He said, “On Monday morning, I received a call that the body of a dead person was exhumed at the Avume community cemetery, with the material used on the body scattered on the grave,” he said.
He said the corpse, which might have been buried several years ago, was discovered by some youth who had gone to dig a grave for the burial of another corpse in the area.
He said upon a closer inspection; it was revealed that the head or skull of the deceased had been removed, which residents suspected the culprits might have removed it for spiritual purposes or rituals.
“I assure you that the incident will be reported to the police and other appropriate authorities to launch a proper and thorough investigation into the case for the grave looters to be arrested.”
Agboka further pledged to work with the authorities to identify the families of the dead person and get to the root of the case with all urgency and urged residents to remain calm and assist authorities in the necessary investigations.
The incident has led to fear among residents, with many calling for urgent attention to investigate and arrest the culprits.
Some residents, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency, expressed fear and appealed to the police, the assembly member, and other investigative bodies to arrest the perpetrators of the act.
The incident was the first of its kind in the electoral area, and residents are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the investigations would be unraveled.
