Decomposed body of a murdered Fulani Cattle herd exhumed

The decomposed body of a Fulani Cattle herd, suspected to have been murdered and buried in a shallow grave, has been exhumed by a team of Police and health personnel last Tuesday at Ayiwata-Domekope, a farming village in North Tongu District, Volta Region.

The deceased, identified by his relatives and other Fulanis, was Yahaya Mahamadu, aged 25 years.

Also found in the grave were his flashlight, wellington boots, his water container, blue plastic food container and a piece of sugarcane stick he left home with.

Persons who thronged the site had to constantly hold their nose due to the high stench emanating from the body, despite frequent fumigations there.

Alhaji Abubakar Siddique Hogo, Secretary, Fulani Community Association in the District, told the Ghana News Agency at the site, that he was informed last Friday at his Juapong base, also in the District that the deceased was missing.

He said in the course of their search for him, they were hinted about a suspected shallow grave at Ayiwata-Domekpoe, where they finally found the deceased person's mobile phone and two empty AA cartridge shells, deepening their fears and therefore reported to the police.

According to him, the deceased was unmarried and arrived in the area in the company of his father from Tamale, Northern Region few years ago as they both settled at Agortive near Ayiwata-Domekope, tending their cattle.

Alhaji Hogo said sometime early this April, the deceased left home with the cattle but failed to return, while the animals were found the following day.

According to him this has been the second time in after few years when the body of another Fulani was found in the bush with gunshot wounds, but no suspect was apprehended.

He said fear has gripped his people in the area, but expressed hope the authorities would successfully investigate this case to bring those responsible to book.

Mr. Joshua Semanyo, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in charge of Juapong District confirmed receiving the report last Friday but had to do proper documentations before the body was exhumed.

He said thorough investigations will be undertaken to get to the bottom of the matter.

Mr. Richard Collins Arku, North Tongu District Chief Executive (DCE) on his part described the case as worrying, wondering what could have been the motive of the doers.

He said he has since initiated a move to meet chiefs and Fulanis over the issue.

"I have encouraged the police to fast track investigations to bring out those behind it", he said.

The body has since been conveyed to the Police Hospital morgue in Accra for autopsy.