The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects over their alleged involvement in an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad following what the police described as a sting operation carried out in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the suspects were paraded on August 27.
The police identified the suspects as 23-year-old Emmanuel Ode of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; and 25-year-old David Idoko.
According to the police, the suspects were arrested on August 19, 2026, at about 6pm following intelligence on the alleged activities of the syndicate.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Special Tactical Squad carried out a sting operation on August 19, 2026, in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which led to the arrest of the suspects,” the statement said.
The police said items, including clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime, were recovered during the operation.
Investigators alleged that one of the suspects, Ode, recruited victims under false pretences and facilitated their movement to a hospital in Abuja for alleged illegal organ harvesting.
The police said Ode, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to recruiting victims for the syndicate.
According to the statement, Ode allegedly lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026.
The police alleged that the victim’s kidney was subsequently harvested and that he received $1,250, said to be equivalent to about ₦1.7 million.
“Emmanuel Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences,” the police said.
The statement added that another victim alleged that he was lured by the same agent to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was harvested.
The victim was reportedly paid ₦7 million after the procedure.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that members of the alleged syndicate targeted vulnerable and financially disadvantaged young persons in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
According to the Force Headquarters, the suspects allegedly exploited the financial circumstances of the victims to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects and their accomplices allegedly targeted vulnerable and uneducated young persons within Nasarawa State and its environs, exploiting their financial desperation to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting,” the statement said.
The police also alleged that forged documents were used to facilitate the activities of the syndicate.
The documents allegedly included victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
“Evidence gathered indicates that the suspects forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters to facilitate these criminal activities,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Police Force said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects alleged to be connected with the syndicate who are currently at large.
It reaffirmed its commitment to tackling human trafficking and alleged illegal organ harvesting across the country.
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
The suspects are expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution, while police continue efforts to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly connected with the syndicate.
