The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two doctors and two other suspects over their alleged involvement in an organ harvesting and human trafficking network accused of targeting vulnerable young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
The four suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) during a sting operation on August 19, 2026, at Auta Balifi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and kidney consultant at 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.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects allegedly targeted financially disadvantaged young people, recruiting them under false pretences before taking them to medical facilities where their kidneys were allegedly harvested.
Police said Ode allegedly confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims. He reportedly 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 removed in exchange for $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million.
Another alleged victim reportedly told investigators that the same agent recruited him in 2022 and took him to a hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested. He reportedly received N7 million in return.
Investigators further alleged that members of the syndicate forged documents to facilitate the purported operations. The documents allegedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
The police also said clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the suspected criminal activities were recovered as exhibits.
The Force said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other alleged members of the syndicate who are still at large, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the activities.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to dismantling networks involved in human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting and protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation.
