The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four persons, including two medical doctors, over an alleged human trafficking and illegal organ-harvesting operation uncovered in Nasarawa State.
The suspects identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant with 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 police sting operation.
The operation was carried out on August 19, 2026, at Auta Balifi in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday.
Iniedu said preliminary investigations indicated that Ode allegedly served as a recruiter, targeting vulnerable people and luring them to medical facilities under deceptive circumstances.
According to the police, one of the alleged victims, identified as 22-year-old Samuel Ezekiel, was reportedly taken to Wellington Hospital on April 24, 2026, where his kidney was allegedly removed.
The police claimed that Ezekiel was paid $1,250, said to be equivalent to about N1.7m at the prevailing exchange rate, after the alleged procedure.
The statement also referred to another alleged victim who reportedly told investigators that he was taken to a hospital in 2022 by the same agent and had a kidney removed, after which he allegedly received N7m.
The police said the suspects allegedly exploited the financial difficulties of young people, particularly vulnerable and poorly educated persons in Nasarawa and neighbouring areas.
Investigators also allegedly uncovered the use of falsified documents in the operation, including National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, affidavits, age declarations and consent forms bearing altered information.
The police said some items, including clothing allegedly purchased with proceeds from the suspected criminal activities, were recovered during the operation.
The Force said its investigation was continuing, with efforts underway to identify and arrest other members of the alleged syndicate.
The police also assured the public that it would continue to target networks involved in human trafficking and illegal organ removal and protect vulnerable persons from exploitation.
The arrests come amid heightened public concern over alleged kidney trafficking following claims recently made by social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
Otse had alleged that some young people were being deceived or financially induced into surrendering their kidneys, while raising concerns about alleged activities around Nyanya, Mararaba and neighbouring communities.
However, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command previously dismissed social media claims that widespread kidney sales were taking place in the affected communities.
The command said it had neither received nor confirmed reports supporting the claims and urged members of the public to disregard unverified information capable of causing panic.
It nevertheless encouraged anyone with credible information concerning suspected organ trafficking to report such cases to the police or other appropriate authorities.
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