Nigerian Cleric Wanted After Mummified Body Found Under Cameroon Church

A Nigerian cleric is wanted by authorities in Cameroon after a mummified body was discovered buried beneath a concrete slab at a property linked to his church in Yaoundé.

The cleric, identified as Kedi Samuel Kenechukwu, also known as Ekedi Samuel, is the founder of Mercy of God Ministry and has reportedly gone into hiding as security authorities investigate activities linked to his ministry.

According to Cameroon Tribune, the body was discovered on September 19, 2026, at about 9am by officers of the Nkoabang Special Police Station during an ongoing investigation involving the cleric.

Investigators reportedly found a white-and-gold coffin buried about 1.5 metres beneath a concrete slab at the property. The remains appeared to be those of a woman dressed in traditional blue clothing with gold embroidery and were described as being in a mummified state.

Authorities have not yet established the identity of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding the death.

The discovery followed earlier investigations into properties allegedly connected to Mercy of God Ministry. On September 6, security personnel reportedly found 20 people, including 10 women, eight men and two children, inside a basement at another property linked to the ministry in Yaoundé.

A further search of the Nkoabang property on September 9 reportedly uncovered several vehicles, large quantities of food, about 30 rooms and a two-metre-deep pit whose purpose was not immediately established.

Cameroonian authorities are continuing their investigation and have reportedly alerted border security agencies and involved Interpol in efforts to locate Kenechukwu.

The cleric is wanted over allegations including human trafficking, unlawful detention and kidnapping. However, authorities have not publicly established that he was responsible for the death of the person whose body was discovered.

The investigation remains ongoing.