Nigerian cleric goes into hiding after mummified body was found at church property in Cameroon

A Nigerian cleric wanted by Cameroonian authorities has gone into hiding after a mummified body was discovered buried beneath a concrete slab at a property linked to his church in Yaoundé on Tuesday, September 22.

The body was found at about 9am by officers of the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an ongoing investigation involving Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel.

Kenechukwu is the founder of Mercy of God Ministry and is wanted by security authorities over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.

Investigators discovered a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres beneath a concrete slab at the Nkoabang property.

The body inside was 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. This is not a normal grave,” The police said

The discovery followed vandalism by residents, which exposed parts of the property and led investigators to the concealed underground area.

At the time of the report, security officers were awaiting authorisation to conduct further searches of the site for possible additional remains.

The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death had not been established.

The discovery came about 10 days after investigators searched the same Nkoabang property on September 9.

During the operation, investigators found five vehicles, several hundred kilogrammes of food, functioning freezers and about 30 rooms on the property.

They also discovered a pit about two metres deep, although its purpose had not been established.

The Nkoabang investigation 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 found in a basement at the property.

The discoveries prompted security agencies to investigate other locations connected to the ministry.

Kenechukwu remains at large, with Cameroonian authorities alerting border police and involving International Criminal Police Organization (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.