Nigerian cleric flees after body found buried in Cameroon church

Ekedi Samuel Kenechukwu. Photo: Camer.be

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.

Cameroon Tribune reports on Tuesday that the body was found on September 19 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 currently wanted by security authorities over allegations including human trafficking, arrest and kidnapping.

Several Cameroonian news outlets have reported on the case, with Camer.be describing Kenechukwu as “a Nigerian prophet operating in Cameroon since 2018.”

According to Cameroon Tribune, investigators discovered a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres beneath a concrete slab at the property in Nkoabang.

The body was described as being 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 newspaper said.

Cameroon Tribune reported that the discovery was made after residents vandalised parts of the property, leading investigators to uncover the concealed underground area.

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

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

The discovery came about 10 days after a search of the same Nkoabang property on September 9.

During that operation, investigators reportedly 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 at the time.

The Nkoabang investigation followed an earlier operation at a property associated with Mercy of God Ministry in Ngousso, Yaoundé, on September 6.

Twenty people — 10 women, eight men and two children aged six and seven — were reportedly found in a basement at the property.

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

Kenechukwu remains at large, with Cameroonian authorities reportedly alerting border police and involving Interpol in efforts to locate him.

The investigation into the activities at the properties and the circumstances surrounding the newly discovered body is ongoing.