The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four suspects over an alleged kidney harvesting syndicate in Nasarawa State, with investigators alleging that vulnerable young people were recruited under false pretences and taken to a hospital in Abuja.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) during a sting operation on August 19, 2026, at about 6 p.m. in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected syndicate.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime were recovered during the operation and are being retained as exhibits.
The suspects are Emmanuel Ode, 23, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, of Edo State, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, of Benue State, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
Iniedu said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects and their alleged accomplices targeted vulnerable and uneducated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
According to him, the victims were allegedly exploited because of their financial difficulties and persuaded to consent to illegal organ harvesting.
During interrogation, Ode allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
He reportedly told investigators 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 for $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million at the current exchange rate.
Iniedu said another victim also alleged that he was lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested and he was paid N7 million.
Investigations further revealed the alleged use of forged documents to facilitate the activities of the syndicate.
The documents reportedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
Iniedu said the arrests followed intelligence-led efforts by the Special Tactical Squad to disrupt the activities of the suspected network.
He said the police had commenced further investigations to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other persons connected to the syndicate.
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation,” Iniedu said.
He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects believed to be connected with the syndicate.
“The Force will continue to leverage intelligence-led policing and other lawful investigative strategies to identify, apprehend and bring to justice individuals involved in these heinous crimes,” he said.
The Force urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving human trafficking, illegal medical procedures and the exploitation of vulnerable persons to the appropriate security authorities.
