The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four persons allegedly involved in a syndicate linked to organ harvesting and human trafficking in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad following intelligence on the activities of the alleged syndicate, the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, said in a statement on Friday.
According to Iniedu, the suspects were paraded on Thursday after their arrest during an operation carried out in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
He said the operation took place at about 6pm on August 19, following the receipt of credible intelligence by the police.
Among the items recovered during the operation were clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the suspected criminal activities.
The police spokesperson identified the suspects as David Udoko, Emmanuel Ode, a medical doctor and consultant at a private hospital in Life Camp, Abuja and another doctor/Acting Director of Clinical Services at the same hospital.
According to the police, Ode allegedly admitted during interrogation to recruiting victims by deceiving them with false promises.
“During interrogation, Emmanuel Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretenses.
“He disclosed that on 24th April 2026, he lured one Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to the hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for the sum of $1,250 USD (One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty US Dollars), equivalent to ₦1,700,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) at the current exchange rate.
“A second victim alleged that he was lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital where his kidney was harvested, for which he was paid the sum of ₦7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira).”
Iniedu said police investigations indicated that the alleged operators focused on vulnerable young people, particularly those who were uneducated and experiencing financial hardship in Nasarawa State and surrounding communities.
He explained that the victims were allegedly persuaded to undergo illegal organ removal after being targeted because of their difficult economic circumstances.
The investigation also uncovered alleged attempts to falsify documentation used in the process, with the police saying the suspects and their associates forged documents relating to victims.
Among the documents allegedly falsified were names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.
The Force spokesman said the investigation was still ongoing, adding that security operatives were making efforts to arrest other members of the alleged syndicate who remained at large.
(The. CABLE)
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