A Nigerian cleric, Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel, has reportedly gone into hiding after Cameroonian authorities discovered a mummified body buried beneath a concrete slab at a property linked to his church in Yaoundé.
The body was found on September 19 by officers of the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an investigation involving Kenechukwu, the founder of Mercy of God Ministry.
According to Cameroon Tribune, investigators uncovered a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres underground at the property in Nkoabang.
The deceased, reportedly a woman dressed in a traditional blue outfit with gold embroidery, was found in a state of mummification.
“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,” the newspaper reported, noting that the discovery did not appear to be a normal grave.
The discovery followed investigations into properties allegedly connected to the ministry. On September 9, security officials searching the same Nkoabang property reportedly found five vehicles, several hundred kilogrammes of food, functioning freezers and about 30 rooms.
They also discovered a pit measuring about two metres deep, although its purpose was yet to be established.
Earlier, on September 6, security agencies searched another property linked to Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, where 20 people — 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven — were reportedly found in a basement.
Cameroonian authorities are investigating the activities at the properties, while Kenechukwu is reportedly wanted over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.
Security agencies have reportedly alerted border authorities and involved Interpol in efforts to locate him.
The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death have not been established. Authorities were also awaiting authorisation to conduct further searches of the Nkoabang property for possible additional remains.
The investigation is ongoing.