Police in the Upper West Region has begun investigations into the murder of 26-year-old Immigration Officer, Michael Otu.

The deceased was found lying supine in a pull of blood under a culvert on Tuesday. He is reported to have been shot by some unknown assailants while on night duty along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.

It is unclear what led to the shooting. Speaking to JoyNews, the family of the deceased said they only heard the sad news on social media and from colleagues of the late officer.

The Upper West Regional Crimes Officer of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Reynolds Manteaw in an exclusive interview with JoyNews after visiting the scene, said the Police are yet to determine the cause of death of the officer.

“Upon a careful inspection of the body, it was found that there were punches at the back of the body of the deceased which clearly suggests foul play. For now, I am not in the position to tell whether they were gunshots or he was pierced with sharp implements, but after the autopsy, we will be able to tell whether they were gunshots or wounds from sharp implements but for now investigation is being carried out rigorously,” he said.

According to the Police, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Saint Theresa’s Hospital morgue in Nandom.

He noted that the officer’s ballistic helmet and his motorbike were found at the scene of the incident.

“When Police got to the scene, they found a lifeless body of the Officer which had been kept in a culvert. And so when it was retrieved from the culvert, you realise that the uniform was soaked in blood. Also found at the scene was his ballistic helmet and also the jungle cap that he used to wear. They were found about 39 metres from where his body was lying. Again, some 69 metres away from where his body was found, was his absconding motorbike which he was using and so all these items were retrieved,” he added.

ACP Manteaw said calm has returned to the area and assured the people of the readiness of the Police to protect them.

He also called for support from the public to come forth with information to help apprehend the killers.

JoyNews’ Correspondent, Walanyo who spoke to the family said although the family is yet to be informed officially by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the news about the purported death of Michael has left them in grief and sorrow.

Micheal Otu worked with the Hamile detachment in Operation Conquered Fist under the Ghana Immigration Service.