Residents of Dzelukope, a suburb of Keta in the Volta Region, are in a state of shock and panic after a man believed to be in his early 60s was found dead in a stagnant water in the area. 

The tragic incident was suspected to have occurred during the midnight of Monday, April 21, during this year’s Easter picnic. 

Mr Gideon Foli Ashiagbor, a unit committee member of the area, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the incident happened in the water between Togbi Dzelu’s road and the seashore in the community.  

“I received a call on Tuesday, April 22, that a lifeless body of a man who is believed to be around 60 years old was floating on the water, which sparked fear among the residents,” he said. 

He said that the body of the deceased was later retrieved from the water and was identified by families as Mr Atileto Edo.  

Mr Ashiagbor said further information gathered revealed that the deceased was energetic, healthy and with a sound mind without complaints of sickness before his death, with the sudden demise raising speculations and suspicions. 

“An examination of the body of the deceased showed signs of bruises on the forehead and blood oozing from the nose, raising suspicions of foul play.” 

He said the incident has been reported to the Keta Police, who conveyed the body to the Keta Municipal hospital morgue for further examination and autopsy. 

Mr Ashiagbor urged the residents to remain calm and assist the police in their investigations to unravel the perpetrators of the heinous crime and to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic death.