A 27-year-old man identified as Okomfo C Prof, described by residents as a spiritualist, has been arrested by the Police following an alleged attempt to use an 11-year-old schoolgirl for ritual purposes at Lamtey in the Ga South Municipality, near Kasoa.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended after residents became suspicious when they allegedly saw him entering an uncompleted building with the young girl.
According to accounts from some residents, the situation became more alarming after they reportedly heard the girl crying from inside the building. The residents are said to have rushed to the premises, entered the uncompleted structure and rescued the girl.
The suspect was subsequently apprehended by the residents and handed over to the Police.
Alleged ritual items found
Residents claim that a search of the suspect’s belongings following his arrest led to the discovery of a bag containing items they believed to be human bones. The circumstances surrounding the items, however, have not yet been independently established.
The suspect, who is reportedly believed to have been residing in the uncompleted building, was allegedly assaulted by some angry residents before the Police arrived and took him into custody.
The 11-year-old girl has reportedly been rescued and is currently safe.
Police investigate
The Police have commenced investigations into the incident, including the circumstances under which the girl was taken to the uncompleted building and the identity and nature of the items allegedly found in the suspect’s possession.
Authorities are also expected to establish whether the suspect had any previous dealings with the child and determine the exact motive behind the alleged incident.
Some residents have since spoken to the media, recounting what they claim to have witnessed before and during the intervention.
The suspect remains in Police custody as investigations continue. The allegations against him are yet to be tested in court, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
