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) following a sting operation conducted on August 19, 2026, at Auta Balifi in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
According to the police, the operation was carried out around 6 p.m. following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected syndicate. Clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the criminal activities were recovered as exhibits.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist from Edo State and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, a nephrologist from Benue State and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
During interrogation, the police said Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
He allegedly told investigators that on April 24, 2026, he 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 for $1,250, equivalent to about ₦1.7 million.
The police also said a second victim alleged that he was similarly lured by Ode in 2022 to a hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested in exchange for ₦7 million.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the syndicate and its alleged accomplices targeted vulnerable and poorly educated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
The suspects allegedly exploited the victims’ financial difficulties to secure consent for illegal organ-harvesting procedures.
Police investigations further indicated that the syndicate allegedly forged official documents to facilitate the operations, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
The Force said investigations were ongoing to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and identify other persons involved in the alleged crimes.
It added that efforts were underway to arrest other suspects believed to be connected with the network who are currently at large.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human-trafficking and organ-harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
