By Ado Oyeyemi
A Nigerian cleric, Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel, has reportedly gone into hiding after security operatives 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 by officers of the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an investigation involving Kenechukwu, the founder of Mercy of God Ministry, according to Cameroon Tribune.
The newspaper reported that investigators found a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres beneath a concrete slab at the property in Nkoabang.
The body inside the coffin was reportedly in a mummified state and appeared to be that of a woman dressed in a traditional blue outfit with gold embroidery.
The discovery was reportedly made after residents vandalised parts of the property, prompting investigators to examine the concealed underground area.
However, authorities had yet to establish the identity of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding the death as of the time of the report.
Security operatives were also said to be awaiting authorisation to conduct further searches of the property for possible additional remains.
The discovery came about 10 days after investigators searched the same property on September 9 and 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 during the earlier search, although its purpose had not been established.
The Nkoabang investigation followed an operation at another property allegedly linked to Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, on September 6.
During the operation, security operatives reportedly found 20 people, comprising 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven, in a basement on the property.
The discoveries have prompted Cameroonian security agencies to widen their investigation to other locations allegedly associated with the ministry.
Kenechukwu is reportedly wanted by the authorities over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.
He remains at large, while border police and Interpol have reportedly been alerted to assist efforts to locate him.
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The investigation into the activities at the properties and the circumstances surrounding the body found in Nkoabang is ongoing.
