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.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, noting that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.
According to the statement, clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime were recovered during the operation.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, an Edo State indigene and nephrologist (kidney consultant) attached 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.
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable and uneducated young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas, exploiting their financial difficulties to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
During interrogation, Ode allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
The police said he disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he allegedly lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million.
The suspect also reportedly disclosed that another victim was allegedly lured to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was harvested and he was paid N7 million.
Further investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects and their alleged accomplices forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters to facilitate the alleged criminal activities.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects believed to be connected to the syndicate.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation.
