The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged human trafficking and organ-harvesting syndicate operating in Nasarawa State, arresting two medical doctors and two other suspects.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Force Special Tactical Squad following an intelligence-led operation that allegedly exposed the recruitment of vulnerable young Nigerians for illegal kidney harvesting.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected syndicate.
According to the police, STS operatives carried out a sting operation at about 6 p.m. on August 19 in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Those arrested were Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53; and David Idoko, 25.
Oyime, an Edo State indigene, is a nephrologist reportedly attached as a consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja.
Otukpa, a Benue State indigene, is also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital.
Police said clothes allegedly bought with proceeds of the suspected criminal activities were recovered during the operation.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable, financially desperate and largely uneducated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
The victims were allegedly persuaded to undergo medical procedures before their kidneys were harvested under circumstances now being investigated by the police.
Police said Ode confessed to recruiting victims for the syndicate.
According to his statement to investigators, he allegedly lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026.
The police alleged that Ezekiel’s kidney was harvested and that $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million at the exchange rate cited by the Force, was paid for the organ.
Investigators also uncovered another alleged victim who claimed he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and taken to a hospital where his kidney was harvested.
The second victim told police that he was paid N7 million.
The Force said the allegations form part of the evidence being examined as investigators seek to establish the full scope of the syndicate’s activities and identify other persons who may have been involved.
Police also said investigators uncovered an alleged document-forgery operation linked to the syndicate.
The suspects and their alleged accomplices were accused of forging documents to facilitate the medical procedures and create the appearance of consent or lawful transactions.
The allegedly forged documents included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
Police said the findings raised serious concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians and the alleged use of falsified official documents to facilitate organ harvesting.
The Force said investigations were continuing and that the arrest of the four suspects formed part of a wider effort to dismantle the suspected network.
Other suspects allegedly linked to the syndicate remain at large, with police operatives continuing efforts to apprehend them.
The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, organ harvesting and other forms of organised criminal exploitation across the country.
Police said investigations would also seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged recruitment of victims, the medical procedures carried out, payments made and documents used in the cases.
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