A Nigerian cleric, Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel, has reportedly gone into hiding after security officials discovered a mummified body buried beneath a concrete slab at a property linked to his church in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The body was uncovered on September 19 at about 9am by officers of the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an investigation involving Kenechukwu, the founder of Mercy of God Ministry.
Cameroonian authorities are reportedly searching for the cleric over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.
According to reports by Cameroon Tribune, investigators 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 the coffin was reportedly in a mummified state. It was said to appear to be that of a woman dressed in traditional blue clothing with gold embroidery.
The discovery reportedly followed the vandalisation of parts of the property by residents, which prompted investigators to examine a concealed underground area.
Authorities had yet to establish the identity of the deceased or determine the circumstances surrounding the person’s death.
Security officials were also awaiting authorisation to conduct further searches of the property to determine whether additional remains could be found.
The discovery came about 10 days after another search of the Nkoabang property on September 9.
During that operation, investigators reportedly found five vehicles, several hundred kilogrammes of food, working 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.
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The Nkoabang investigation followed an earlier operation at another property linked to Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, on September 6.
During the operation, 20 people, comprising 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven, were reportedly found in a basement.
The discoveries at the various properties prompted security agencies to widen their investigation into locations allegedly connected to the ministry.
Kenechukwu is currently said to be 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, as well as the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body, is ongoing.
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