A Nigerian cleric wanted by Cameroonian security authorities has gone into hiding following the discovery of a mummified body buried beneath a concrete slab at a property linked to his church in Yaoundé.
Cameroon Tribune reported on Tuesday that the body was discovered on September 19 around 9am by officers from the Nkoabang Special Police Station while investigating allegations involving Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel.
Kenechukwu, founder of Mercy of God Ministry, is reportedly wanted over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.
Several Cameroonian media outlets have reported on the investigation, with Camer.be describing him as “a Nigerian prophet operating in Cameroon since 2018.”
According to Cameroon Tribune, investigators found a white-and-gold coffin buried approximately 1.5 metres below a concrete slab at the property in Nkoabang.
The body was reportedly in a mummified state.
“The lid is broken. Inside, a body, a lady at first sight, dressed in a traditional blue outfit with gold embroidery, in a state of mummification, rests on a padding. This is not a normal grave,” the newspaper said.
The discovery reportedly followed the vandalisation of parts of the property by residents, after which investigators uncovered the concealed underground area.
At the time of the report, security officials were awaiting authorisation to carry out further searches of the property for possible additional remains.
The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the person’s death had yet to be established.
The latest discovery came about 10 days after investigators searched the same Nkoabang property on September 9.
During that operation, officials reportedly found five vehicles, several hundred kilogrammes of food, functioning freezers and about 30 rooms on the premises.
A pit measuring about two metres deep was also discovered, although investigators had not established its purpose at the time.
The investigation in Nkoabang followed an earlier operation at another property associated with Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, on September 6.
Twenty people, comprising 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven, were reportedly found in a basement at the property.
The discoveries prompted security agencies to extend their investigation to other locations allegedly linked to the ministry.
Kenechukwu remains at large, while Cameroonian authorities have reportedly alerted border police and involved Interpol in efforts to locate him.
The investigation into the activities at the properties and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body is ongoing.
