Wednesday, 17th June, 2026
The Ghana Police Service has apprehended a man in connection with the death of University of Cape Coast student Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, following an intelligence-driven manhunt that culminated in a dusk arrest at a major transport hub. The breakthrough offers a grim milestone in a case that has gripped the academic community.
According to the Ghana Police Service, suspect Michael Mensah was taken into custody by the IGP’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team at Pedu Lorry Station in Cape Coast after sustained surveillance operations. The Service stated that the suspect, who describes himself as a teacher and commercial driver, is believed to have been the last person seen with the deceased. Investigators disclosed that preliminary findings place the victim in his company at Hutchland Beach after she was picked up from the Ayensu Plaza enclave within the UCC hostel area.
According to the University of Cape Coast Administration, the campus has been plunged into mourning, with counseling services activated for students traumatized by the incident. A senior university official emphasized the institution’s cooperation with law enforcement and reiterated commitments to enhancing security protocols around off-campus residential zones. The Administration urged students to exercise heightened vigilance and utilize approved transport services.
The arrest follows days of public anxiety over the disappearance and subsequent death of Avinu, a case that has reignited national discourse on student safety and gender-based violence. According to the Central Regional Police Command, forensic teams and cyber analysts are reconstructing digital footprints and witness accounts to establish a comprehensive timeline. The Command confirmed that the suspect remains in custody as interrogation and evidence collation proceed.
As the investigation advances, authorities have assured the public of transparency and due process, underscoring that prosecutorial action will follow evidentiary thresholds. The case is poised to test investigative rigor and judicial responsiveness amid mounting demands for accountability and preventive safeguards across tertiary institutions.
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Source: Korkor Anumu
