Cameroonian security authorities are searching for a Nigerian cleric after investigators 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 at about 9am by officers of the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an investigation involving the founder of Mercy of God Ministry, Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel.
Kenechukwu, who has operated in Cameroon since 2018, is wanted by authorities over allegations including human trafficking and kidnapping.
According to Cameroon Tribune, investigators uncovered a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres beneath a concrete slab at the ministry-linked property in Nkoabang.
The deceased, initially identified as a woman based on her appearance, was found dressed in a traditional blue outfit with gold embroidery and in a mummified state.
The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death had not been established as of the newspaper’s report.
The discovery followed a search of the same property on September 9, during which 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 during the operation, although investigators had not established its purpose.
The Nkoabang investigation was launched after an earlier operation at another property linked to Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, on September 6.
During that operation, security personnel reportedly found 20 people, comprising 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven, inside a basement.
The discoveries at the ministry-linked properties prompted authorities to extend their investigation to other locations associated with the organisation.
Kenechukwu has since gone into hiding, with Cameroonian authorities reportedly alerting border police and involving Interpol in efforts to locate him.
Security officers were awaiting authorisation to conduct further searches of the Nkoabang property for possible additional remains as investigations continued.
Discussion0