Police nab four over alleged kidney harvesting, human trafficking syndicate in Nasarawa

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested four persons suspected to be members of a syndicate allegedly involved in human trafficking and the illegal harvesting of human organs in Nasarawa State.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad, STS, on August 19, 2026, following intelligence gathered on the alleged activities of the group.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, stating that the arrest followed a sting operation conducted at about 6 p.m. in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

According to Iniedu, items including clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the suspected criminal activities were recovered during the operation.

The police identified the suspects as 23-year-old Emmanuel Ode of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, an indigene of Edo State and a nephrologist at Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, an indigene of Benue State and a nephrologist who serves as Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; and 25-year-old David Idoko.

According to the police, Ode allegedly admitted during interrogation that he recruited victims through false representations.

Investigators said Ode disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he allegedly lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, where one of the victim’s kidneys was allegedly removed.

The police further quoted Ode as saying that Ezekiel received $1,250, estimated at about N1.7 million, for the procedure.

Another alleged victim reportedly told investigators that he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and taken to a hospital, where one of his kidneys was allegedly removed after he was paid N7 million.

The Force said preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged syndicate targeted economically disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in Nasarawa State and surrounding communities.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly exploited the victims’ financial hardship to secure their consent for illegal organ removal.

Investigators also uncovered the alleged falsification of official documents used to facilitate the operations. The documents allegedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.

The police said efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects believed to be involved in the alleged network.

The Force assured the public that it remained committed to disrupting human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting networks while protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation.