Unknown grave looters have desecrated the Tsiame Community Cemetery in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, leaving an exhumed corpse exposed and mutilated, with several body parts missing.
The corpse, discovered with both legs, arms, and the head missing, has thrown the residents of the community into a state of fear and panic.
The remains were found in a nearby bush, a few metres away from the cemetery, on Monday, May 5, at about 6:30 a.m.
Gabriel Klu Gbafa, an eyewitness, disclosed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), stating that the deceased had been buried between two to three months ago.
“We suspect the incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 3, during a heavy downpour accompanied by a power outage,” he said.
Gbafa noted that the suspected grave looters likely took advantage of the blackout to carry out the act. A close examination of the exhumed body revealed the missing parts.
“This is serious. We’ve never experienced anything like this in our community before. We urge the authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly and urgently,” he appealed.
According to him, the suspects are believed to have exhumed the body and carried it into the bush, where they removed the vital parts and left the mutilated remains behind, with burial clothes scattered around.
The incident was reported to the Abor Police, who have since launched an investigation to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act.
Meanwhile, the Police and the family of the deceased are yet to decide whether to rebury the body or take it to the morgue as investigations continue.
Some other residents of Tsiame who spoke to the GNA confirmed that this was the first time such a gruesome act had been committed in their community. They called for immediate investigations, suspecting ritual motives behind the desecration.
“This abominable act has raised many questions,” one resident said, “and we urge the Police to act swiftly to restore peace and order.”
The residents are also calling on authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the community.
The GNA also gathered that the deceased, Etsa Akorli—who had lived and died in Akatsi some months ago—was buried at Tsiame and has become the victim of the unknown looters.
