Ghana’s Police Homicide Unit has made a chilling breakthrough in a suspected ritual murder case following the discovery and exhumation of multiple human remains buried in a shrine in Gblorkope, Central Tongu District.
The operation, which followed the months-long disappearance of 28-year-old Nelson Anyana, uncovered bones buried beneath traditional idols and human body parts hidden in surrounding bushes. Police believe the site may have been used for serial ritual killings.
The body of Mr Anyana, reported missing by his mother in December 2024, was discovered buried in the shrine after intense investigations led officers and three key suspects to the remote property.
Six individuals, including a fetish priest, a herbalist, and a kente weaver, have been arrested in connection with the case. They have all been arraigned before a District Court in Ho, facing charges of conspiracy and abetment to murder.
The suspects are:
Augustina Fiawoyife, alleged to have lured the victim
Wisdom Hedidor, herbalist and alleged mastermind
Courage Bedzo, kente weaver, accused of carrying out the killing
Gblor Noah (alias Ekpedzi), fetish priest, alleged buyer of the body
Gblor John, security guard
Gblor Johannes, lotto writer
All three Gblor siblings were reportedly operating the Gblorkope shrine.
According to investigators, jealousy was a major motive. Augustina, who had a relationship with both the victim and the herbalist Hedidor, allegedly set up the meeting where Nelson was ambushed and strangled. The body was later sold to the shrine operators for GH¢7,000 and used in ritual rites.
In a disturbing turn, three more sets of human skeletal remains were discovered under separate idols, with other body parts found nearby, raising fears that this may not have been an isolated case.
Police say forensic analysis is underway to identify the other victims, and further charges may follow. The discovery has rocked the Central Tongu community, with residents expressing shock and demanding swift justice.
“It’s a horrifying situation, and the evidence we have so far points to a larger, more organised criminal network,”.
The Ghana Police Service has pledged to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all those involved in the killings and any wider ritualistic network are fully prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the case has reignited national conversations about ritual killings, occult practices, and the need for stronger regulation of spiritual and traditional practitioners.
