The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four suspects allegedly linked to an organ-harvesting and human-trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were paraded on August 27, 2026, by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) following a sting operation in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, conducted on August 19 at about 6pm, followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate. Clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime were recovered as exhibits.
The suspects 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 the hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
According to the police, Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences for the syndicate.
He allegedly told investigators that on April 24, 2026, he lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million.
The police said a second victim also alleged that Ode lured him to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was allegedly harvested and he was paid N7 million.
Investigations, according to the police, showed that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable and poorly educated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas, exploiting their financial difficulties to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
The police further alleged that members of the syndicate forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters, to facilitate the alleged operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said investigations were ongoing to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s activities.
He added that efforts were also underway to arrest other suspects believed to be connected to the network.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human-trafficking and organ-harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable persons from exploitation.