Police arrest suspect over murder of UCC student Innocentia Avinu

The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 39-year-old man, Michael Mensah, in connection with the death of University of Cape Coast (UCC) student Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, whose tragic death has generated widespread public concern and renewed discussions about student safety.

The suspect was apprehended on Sunday, June 15, 2026, following what police described as sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the death of the 20-year-old student.

According to an official statement issued by the Ghana Police Service, Michael Mensah was arrested by the Inspector-General of Police's Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team at approximately 7:15 p.m. at the Pedu Lorry Station in Cape Coast.

Police indicated that the arrest forms part of ongoing investigations into the case, which has attracted national attention since the discovery of the student's body.

Authorities say investigators have been gathering intelligence and analysing evidence since the incident was first reported.

Preliminary investigations suggest that on June 11, 2026, at about 6:48 p.m., the suspect allegedly picked up Innocentia Avinu from Ayensu Plaza within the University of Cape Coast hostel enclave.

According to police findings, Mensah, who claims to be a teacher but also works as a driver, subsequently transported the student to Hutchland Beach in Cape Coast.

Investigators believe this was the last known location where the deceased was seen alive.

"The suspect, who claims to be a teacher by profession but also works as a driver, picked the deceased from Ayensu Plaza within the UCC hostel enclave and drove her to Hutchland Beach where she was last seen," the police statement noted.

Police have not yet disclosed whether the suspect has been formally charged, indicating that investigations remain ongoing.

The case first came to public attention after the body of Innocentia Avinu was discovered washed ashore at Hutchland Beach near Duakor on the Cape Coast-Takoradi Highway on the morning of Friday, June 12, 2026.

Residents who made the discovery alerted authorities, prompting officers from the Cape Coast District Police Command to launch investigations.

At the time the body was found, police were initially unable to identify the deceased and appealed to the public for assistance.

The deceased was later identified as Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource) student at the University of Cape Coast.

She resided at a private hostel in Amamoma near the university and hailed from Dzodze in the Volta Region.

Investigators were able to establish her identity after her roommate reported her disappearance and provided police with a photograph.

According to the roommate, Avinu received a phone call on the evening of June 11, dressed casually, and left their room. She never returned.

Family members subsequently visited the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary on June 13, where they formally confirmed her identity.

As investigations progressed, several unverified claims circulated on social media alleging that parts of the student's body had been removed.

The Central Regional Police Command strongly rejected those reports, describing them as false and misleading.

In an earlier statement signed by the Regional Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Isaac Evans Ettie, police disclosed that an initial examination of the body found no visible signs of assault or mutilation.

"The body was carefully examined in the presence of relatives, and no visible marks of assault were detected," police stated.

The deceased's family also condemned the circulation of false information and appealed to the public to stop sharing graphic images of her body online.

The death of the young student has sparked national concern and prompted responses from government officials and educational authorities.

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, described the incident as deeply troubling and directed the University of Cape Coast to collaborate fully with the Ghana Police Service in investigating the matter.

The university has also launched an internal inquiry while providing counselling services to the deceased's roommate, classmates, and students affected by the tragedy.

Investigators are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, which is expected to provide critical information regarding the exact cause and circumstances of Innocentia Avinu's death.

Police say the autopsy findings will play a key role in determining the next steps in the investigation and could help establish whether criminal activity directly contributed to her death.

Meanwhile, authorities have assured the public that investigations will continue until all questions surrounding the case are answered.

The Ghana Police Service has pledged to keep the public informed of any significant developments as the investigation progresses.