Assin Wawaase, a farming community near Assin Foso in the Central Region, has been thrown into a state of shock and mourning following the mysterious deaths of two friends together with their three dogs.
The two, Yaw Bondam, 33, and Nicholas Fianoo, 25, were found lying dead beside their dogs on Thursday February 10, 2011 following a heavy downpour that hit most parts of the country.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alhassan Sabaliko, Assin Foso Divisional Commander, confirmed the tragic incident to DAILY GUIDE and said, “The police is investigating the circumstances leading to the deaths.”
He disclosed that since the incident, there had been different versions as to what might have happened and added, “The majority of people are saying that thunder and lightning may have struck them and their dogs to death but we are also not ruling out any foul play.”
DSP Sabaliko said the incident occurred about 15 kilometers south of Assin Foso, the district capital, noting that it was not the first time such a bizarre incident was happening in the area. “Our initial investigations showed that the two men and their three dogs were found in the bush at a place called Bediadua near Wawaase after the thunderstorm on Thursday.”
Eyewitnesses claimed the two were killed by thunder and lightning and quoted a man called Yaw Owusu as saying he went to the bush with the deceased but was not at the scene when the thunder struck.
They quoted Yaw Owusu as saying that after the day’s work, while he remained on his cocoa farm, the deceased decided to go for palm wine at about 11:30 am, after which the rains started pouring amidst thunder and lightning.
He said after the rain, he came across the corpses on his way home and quickly raised an alarm. According to some members of the community, the deceased, Bondam and Fianoo, were notorious thieves who stole from farms at the least opportunity.
When contacted, Ofori Asiamah, Unit Committee Chairman and Nkosuohene of Wawaase said on reaching the scene, they saw the corpses of two humans and three dogs, a catapult and a shirt. The bodies have since been deposited at Assin Foso Catholic Hospital for autopsy.