The tranquil town of Nkrankwanta, located in the Dormaa West District of Ghana’s Bono Region, has been rocked by a chilling revelation following the murder of a young mobile money (MoMo) vendor, Japhet Yeboah. The 30-year-old vendor was fatally shot on February 18, 2025, at his mobile phone shop in the town, plunging the community into grief and fear.
In a shocking twist, a Fulani herdsman, identified as Yusif, confessed to the heinous crime after a dramatic series of events involving the intervention of a local deity. Yusif, a prominent figure in the area’s cattle trading business, approached community elders to admit his role in the murder.
Rituals Invoke the Truth
The breakthrough came after local leaders sought divine intervention to unravel the mystery surrounding Yeboah’s death. In line with the community’s traditions, elders performed rituals and poured libations at the local shrine, appealing to the deity for guidance in exposing the perpetrator.
To the astonishment of the townspeople, the rituals appeared to yield results. Shortly after the ceremonies, Yusif voluntarily confessed to the crime. He led the elders to a location where a pistol, believed to have been used in the murder, was hidden. Additional sharp weapons were also retrieved from the site.
Authorities Step In
Issifu Basoma, the Assembly Member for the Asuopiri Electoral Area, confirmed the suspect’s confession and his subsequent arrest. “The suspect is currently in police custody and cooperating with ongoing investigations,” Basoma stated, adding that the suspect’s decision to confess came directly after the shrine’s intervention.
A source within the Nkrankwanta Police Station corroborated this account, revealing that the recovered weapon and other items have been taken as evidence to aid in the investigation.
Community Grieves and Reflects
Japhet Yeboah, a hardworking and well-liked figure in Nkrankwanta, was buried shortly after the tragedy. His sudden death has left a void in the community, with residents calling for justice and heightened security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The case has reignited discussions on the role of traditional practices in modern law enforcement. While some applaud the shrine’s perceived influence in unearthing the truth, others call for caution, emphasizing the need for thorough police investigations.
As the suspect remains in custody, the people of Nkrankwanta await the wheels of justice to turn, hoping for closure in the wake of this devastating crime.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
