The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and paraded four suspects allegedly linked to a human trafficking and illegal organ-harvesting syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Emmanuel Ode; 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 the hospital; and 25-year-old David Idoko.
According to the police, the suspects were apprehended on August 19, 2026, during a sting operation conducted by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad at Auta Balifi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.
Police alleged that Ode confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences and facilitating their movement to hospitals where their kidneys were allegedly removed.
One of the cases cited by the police involved a 22-year-old man identified as Samuel Ezekiel. According to the police, Ode allegedly lured Ezekiel to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026, where his kidney was allegedly harvested. He was reportedly paid $1,250, which the police said was equivalent to about N1.7 million at the prevailing exchange rate.
The police also said another victim claimed he had been recruited in 2022 and subsequently underwent an alleged kidney-harvesting procedure, for which he was reportedly paid N7 million.
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Investigators further alleged that members of the syndicate targeted vulnerable and poorly educated young people in Nasarawa and neighbouring areas, taking advantage of their financial difficulties to obtain consent for the alleged procedures.
The police said their investigation uncovered alleged forgery of official documents, including National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters, which were reportedly used to facilitate the activities.
Items believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the alleged operation were also recovered during the police operation.
The Force said investigations were still ongoing, with efforts being made to identify and arrest other individuals allegedly connected to the syndicate.
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to tackling human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting while protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation.
The arrests come amid renewed public concern over alleged kidney trafficking in parts of Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory following claims circulated by social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
However, the FCT Police Command had previously urged the public to disregard unverified reports claiming that large numbers of residents in areas such as Nyanya, Mararaba and Karu had sold their kidneys, stating that it had neither received nor confirmed any report of such activity.
Authorities have urged members of the public with credible information about suspected human trafficking or illegal organ harvesting to report to the nearest police station or relevant security agency.
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