The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects allegedly linked to an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) during a sting operation carried out on August 19, 2026, in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement.
According to the police, the operation was conducted around 6pm following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected syndicate.
The suspects paraded were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and kidney consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
The police said clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the criminal activities were recovered during the operation.
According to the statement, Ode allegedly confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences for the syndicate.
The police 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 the victim’s kidney was allegedly harvested.
He reportedly told investigators that the victim was paid $1,250, equivalent to about ₦1.7 million at the prevailing exchange rate, for the kidney.
The police also said a second victim alleged that Ode lured him to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was allegedly harvested and he was subsequently paid ₦7million.
Investigators reportedly discovered that the alleged syndicate targeted vulnerable and poorly educated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
The suspects allegedly exploited the financial difficulties of the victims to obtain what the police described as consent for illegal organ harvesting.
The police further alleged that members of the syndicate forged official documents to facilitate the operations.
According to the Force, the documents allegedly falsified by the suspects included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
The police said the documents were allegedly used to conceal the identities of victims and facilitate the illegal activities.
The Force said investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate who are currently at large.
“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 said.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving human trafficking, recruitment of vulnerable persons or the alleged illegal procurement of human organs to security agencies.
The case adds to growing concerns over the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians by criminal networks involved in human trafficking and the illicit trade in human organs.
The suspects are, however, presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
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