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The Nigeria Police Force has on Thursday paraded four suspects, including two doctors, arrested in connection with an alleged organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Ani Iniedu disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) carried out a sting operation at about 6pm on August 19 in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence.
Clothes purchased with proceeds of the crime were recovered as exhibits.
The suspects paraded included, Emmanuel Ode, male, 23, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr. Benjamin Oyime, male, 48, of Edo State, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr. Daniel Otukpa, male, 53, of Benue State, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, male, 25.
During interrogation, Ode allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretenses.
He disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he lured Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for $1,250 USD, equivalent to ₦1,700,000.00 at the current exchange rate.
A second victim also alleged that he was lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital where his kidney was harvested, for which he was paid ₦7,000,000.00.
Investigations revealed that the suspects and their accomplices allegedly targeted vulnerable and uneducated young persons within Nasarawa State and its environs, exploiting their financial desperation to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
The police said evidence gathered indicates that the suspects forged official documents including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits, and consent letters to facilitate the criminal activities.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects connected to the syndicate.
