- Odibo Victory
The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects arrested in connection with an alleged organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) during a sting operation conducted on Aug. 19 at about 6 p.m. in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of the state, following credible intelligence.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force on its official X handle.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; 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 David Idoko, 25.
The Force also said clothes purchased with proceeds of the alleged crime were recovered as exhibits during the operation.
According to the statement, Ode confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences.
The police said Ode disclosed that on April 24, he 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 N1.7 million at the current exchange rate.
It added that a second victim alleged that he was lured by the same agent to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was allegedly harvested after which he was paid N7 million.
The Force said investigations revealed that the suspects and their accomplices allegedly targeted vulnerable and uneducated young persons in Nasarawa State and its environs, exploiting their financial desperation to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
It said evidence gathered also indicated that the suspects forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters to facilitate the alleged criminal activities.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who were still at large and connected to the syndicate.
The Force also reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation.