Duta (V/R), Oct. 3, GNA - Bogah Dorfor, 30, who allegedly murdered his two-and-half year old daughter at their home at Duta, a farming village near the Diamond Cement Factory at Aflao, is in the grips of the police. Dorfor was said to have battered his daughter, Victoa Dorfor on the head with a club.

While some sources in the community told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that they believed it was for ritual purposes, others blamed it on evil spirits.

The sources claimed Dorfor was a sound member of the community and even purchased food for the victim at school that morning and said they were astonished when they heard of the incident later in the day. The sources said the suspect claimed that while in the house with the children at about 20:00 hours, a strange bird attacked him and tried to peck him on his genital.

According to the sources the suspect said he picked a stick and lashed at the bird's head until it died but found out later that the dead bird had transformed into his own daughter and raised the alarm. Mr Baba Moro, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in charge of crime at Aflao said the police was informed later that evening and a team was despatched during which it was established that the suspect did club the girl to death.

He said a member of the community said he traced a strange noise to the suspect's house while he was delivering the final strokes. Mr Moro said the police found the body of the little girl with a bloated head and the suspect who took to his heels on seeing the police was chased and arrested.

Mr Moro said the suspect would soon be put before court on a provisional charge of murder, while further investigations continue including efforts to trace his wife who had since vacated the matrimonial home.

The body of the little girl is being preserved at the Ketu District Hospital morgue pending autopsy.