Police Parade Four Over Alleged Kidney Harvesting in Nasarawa

The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects allegedly linked to an organ harvesting syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.

The suspects, 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 the hospital; and David Idoko, 25, were arrested during a sting operation.

The operation was conducted on August 19, 2026, by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad at Auta Balifi in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

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According to the police, Ode allegedly admitted during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences and facilitating their movement to hospitals where their kidneys were allegedly harvested.

Iniedu said one of the victims, identified as 22-year-old Samuel Ezekiel, was allegedly lured to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026, where his kidney was reportedly harvested.

“He (Ode) disclosed that on 24th April 2026, he lured one Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for the sum of $1,250 USD (One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty US Dollars), equivalent to ₦1,700,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) at the current exchange rate,” the statement read.

The police said another victim also alleged that Ode lured him to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was allegedly harvested in exchange for ₦7 million.

The Force said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly targeted vulnerable young people, particularly those facing financial hardship.

“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 statement said.

The police further alleged that the syndicate forged documents to facilitate the procedures and conceal the identities of victims.

“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 these criminal activities,” it added.

The Force said clothing items allegedly purchased with proceeds from the criminal activities were recovered during the operation and retained as exhibits.

It added that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate.

The police reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting networks across the country, while protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation.