The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested four suspects, including two nephrologists, over their alleged involvement in an organ-harvesting and human-trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were paraded on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) following a sting operation that led to their arrest.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
According to the police, the STS acted on credible intelligence and conducted the operation at about 6pm on August 19, 2026, in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the criminal activities were recovered during the operation.
During interrogation, the police said Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
He allegedly disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he lured a 22-year-old man identified as Samuel Ezekiel to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested.
According to the police, Ode said he received $1,250 for the alleged organ harvesting, equivalent to about N1.7 million.
The police also said another victim alleged that he was lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested, after which he was paid N7 million.
Investigations further revealed that the suspects and their alleged accomplices targeted vulnerable and uneducated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
The police alleged that the syndicate exploited the financial desperation of the victims to obtain their consent for illegal organ harvesting.
Evidence gathered during the investigation also allegedly showed that official documents were forged to facilitate the operations.
The documents allegedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
The police said investigations are continuing, with efforts underway to arrest other suspects allegedly connected to the syndicate.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human-trafficking and organ-harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation.
