Two arrested over murder of 11-year-old girl at Gomoa Buduburam

The Central East Regional Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the murder of an 11-year-old girl, Blessing Innocent, at Gomoa Buduburam in the Central Region.

The suspects have been identified as Kingsley Ozor, 40, an autobody sprayer, and his 19-year-old apprentice, Jeffery Otaigbe.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs for the Central East Region, DSP Victor Kofi Dosoo, the police said the girl was allegedly sexually abused before she died on Saturday, October 17. Her body was later discovered hidden under shrubs near an estate community.

The two suspects were arrested on Tuesday, October 20, following investigations into the child's disappearance.

The police said the case was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at the Gomoa Buduburam District Police Station on Monday, October 19.

The victim's mother told the police that her daughter had been missing since Saturday, October 17.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Blessing had visited the two suspects, who were her neighbours, at about 8.30 am on the day she disappeared. The police said that was the last place she was seen.

The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Ozor and Otaigbe on October 20.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted that the girl had been with them on the day she went missing.

Further investigations, according to the police, revealed that Otaigbe allegedly lured the girl into an unfinished building near an estate community, where he sexually abused her.

The police said the suspect later realised that the child was lifeless.

Following his reported confession, Otaigbe led investigators to the location where the body had been hidden under shrubs.

The police confirmed that the body had been recovered and conveyed to the morgue at St Gregory Catholic Hospital.

Arrangements are being made for an autopsy at the Police Hospital to establish further details surrounding the child's death.

Both suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

The Central East Regional Police Command commended the Gomoa Buduburam District Police for their work in identifying and arresting the suspects.