Tension has erupted in Nkotompo after a group has allegedly performed a sea ritual involving a sack suspected to contain a corpseResidents confronted the group, dressed in symbolic white and yellow robes, over fears of "sakawa" practicesThe group, now in police custody, claims the act was a spiritual rite for a deceased member Tension has escalated in Nkotompo, a fishing community in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, amid suspicions surrounding a group of young men allegedly involved in "sakawa" rituals. In the early hours of Saturday morning, around ten individuals were seen in vehicles and reportedly dropped a corpse wrapped in a sack into the sea. Eyewitnesses observed them carrying a suspicious object, which sparked outrage among local residents. “We saw these men drive in and bring something wrapped in a sack from their vehicle to the beach. We suspect it’s a human body,” one resident commented. Residents expressed their anger, insisting that the group should not be allowed to leave until the object was removed. One local questioned their motives, asking why they chose to drop the sack in their community. The group, dressed in white attire with mystical symbols and draped in yellow robe, included a female member. Their unusual appearance heightened community suspicion, prompting intervention from local leaders. Frederick Acheampong, the assembly member for Nkotompo, confirmed the growing tension and the residents' demands. “We are working to calm the community. I've called on the chief for assistance,” Acheampong stated. The group's leader, identified as Lord Ackam, denied the "sakawa" allegations, claiming they are a spiritual society. “We are known as the Spiritual Scientists. One of our members has passed away, and our rituals require us to drop his belongings in the sea,” Ackam explained. Other members supported his statement, clarifying that they only discarded symbolic items related to the deceased. Traditional authorities intervened at the chief’s palace to help de-escalate the situation. The group has since been handed over to the police for further investigation. The police visited the community after a call was made by the assembly member to calm tensions. The group members were later sent to the police station to initiate investigations. Speaking with YEN.com.gh, the assembly member, Frederick Acheampong, noted that a diver was tasked to swim to retrieve the said belongings of the deceased. He added that the community spiritual leader performed some rituals to avert the repercussions of what the group had come to do by the sea. The police are yet to share the outcome of their engagement with the group. Pastor allegedly inflicting spiritual illness on lady Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that Apostle Avete accused his fellow preacher, Apostle Ashiabi, of causing his daughter’s mysterious illness through a bizarre ritual. Ashiabi denied the allegation, claiming he had learned the practice from a TV programme by herbal doctor Atuguba. A priest described the ritual as “pure voodooism” and expressed shock that the girl had survived a 41-pin spiritual attack, suggesting divine protection. Source: YEN.com.gh