Isiyaku Ahmed
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four suspects allegedly linked to an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were paraded on Thursday by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), following their arrest during a sting operation in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement, saying the operation was conducted on 19 August 2026, at about 6pm following credible intelligence.
According to him, clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the criminal activities were recovered as exhibits during the operation.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, from Edo State, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, from 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 syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable and uneducated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas, exploiting their financial difficulties to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
During interrogation, Ode allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
The police said Ode disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he lured a 22-year-old man identified as Samuel Ezekiel to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where the victim’s kidney was allegedly harvested.
According to the police, Ode said he was paid $1,250 for the transaction, equivalent to about N1.7 million.
The police further said another victim alleged that he was lured by the same agent to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was allegedly harvested in exchange for N7 million.
Investigations, according to the Force, also revealed that the suspects and their alleged accomplices forged official documents to facilitate the illegal activities.
The documents allegedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
The police said the investigation was ongoing, with efforts being made to arrest other suspects believed to be connected to the syndicate.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation.
