A Nigerian cleric, Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel, has reportedly gone into hiding after a mummified body was discovered buried beneath a concrete slab at a property linked to his church in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
According to PUNCH, citing Cameroon Tribune, the body was discovered on September 19 by officers from the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an investigation involving Kenechukwu.
Kenechukwu, founder of Mercy of God Ministry, is reportedly wanted by Cameroonian security authorities over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.
Investigators reportedly found a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres beneath a concrete slab at the church-linked property in Nkoabang. The body inside was described as being in a state of mummification and dressed in traditional blue clothing with gold embroidery.
The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death had not been established at the time of the report.
The discovery followed a search of the same property on September 9, when investigators reportedly found five vehicles, several hundred kilogrammes of food, functioning freezers and about 30 rooms. A pit measuring about two metres deep was also discovered, although its purpose was unclear.
The investigation had begun after an earlier operation at another property associated with Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, on September 6.
During that operation, security officials reportedly found 20 people, comprising 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven, in a basement.
Cameroonian authorities subsequently expanded their investigation to other locations allegedly linked to the ministry.
Kenechukwu remains at large, with authorities reportedly alerting border police and involving Interpol in efforts to locate him.
Security officials were still awaiting authorisation to conduct further searches of the Nkoabang property for possible additional remains, according to the report.
The investigation into the activities at the properties, as well as the identity and circumstances surrounding the death of the person found underground, is ongoing.
