Police Bust Alleged Kidney-Harvesting Syndicate in Nasarawa, Arrest Two Doctors

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 apprehended by operatives of the Force Special Tactical Squad (STS) following an intelligence-led operation that allegedly exposed the recruitment of vulnerable Nigerians for illegal kidney harvesting.

The 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 conducted a sting operation at about 6 p.m. on August 19, 2026, in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53; and David Idoko, 25.

Oyime, an indigene of Edo State, was identified as a nephrologist reportedly attached as a consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, while Otukpa, a Benue State indigene, is also a nephrologist and the Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital.

Police said clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the suspected criminal activities were recovered during the operation.

Preliminary investigations, according to the Force, 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 currently being investigated by the police.

The Force said Ode confessed to recruiting victims for the syndicate.

In his alleged statement to investigators, Ode reportedly said he lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026.

Police alleged that Ezekiel’s kidney was harvested and that he was paid $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million at the exchange rate cited by the Force.

Investigators also reportedly identified another alleged victim who claimed that he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and taken to a hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested.

The second victim told investigators that he was paid N7 million.

The police said the allegations were part of evidence currently being examined as investigators work to determine the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and identify other persons who may have been involved.

The Force also said investigations uncovered an alleged document-forgery operation linked to the suspected syndicate.

According to the police, the suspects and their alleged accomplices forged documents purportedly to facilitate medical procedures and create the appearance of consent or legitimate transactions.

The documents allegedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.

The development, the police said, raised serious concerns over the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians and the alleged use of falsified official documents to facilitate organ harvesting.

The Force said investigations were ongoing, adding that other suspects allegedly linked to the syndicate were still at large.

The police said efforts were being intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects and dismantle the suspected network.

The Nigeria Police Force also reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, organ harvesting and other forms of organised criminal exploitation across the country.

It said the ongoing investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged recruitment of victims, the medical procedures carried out, payments made and documents allegedly used in the cases.