Doctors, agents nabbed in Nasarawa kidney trafficking scandal

Abimbola Joseph

The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a suspected organ trafficking ring in Nasarawa State, parading four individuals alleged to be central to the operation.

Those arrested include Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist linked to Wellington Hospital, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, Acting Director of Clinical Services at the same hospital; and David Idoko, 25.

Police say the suspects were apprehended during a sting operation on 19 August in Karu Local Government Area.

According to Force spokesperson CSP Ani Iniedu, Ode confessed to luring victims under false pretences, including a 22‑year‑old man whose kidney was allegedly removed in April for a payment of $1,250 (about ₦1.7 million). Another victim claimed his kidney was harvested in 2022 for ₦7 million.

Investigators allege the group targeted vulnerable young people facing financial hardship, forging documents such as birth certificates, affidavits, and consent letters to legitimise the illegal procedures. Items believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the crimes were recovered.

The police emphasised that investigations are ongoing to track down accomplices and dismantle the wider network.

This development follows public alerts by activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who raised concerns about kidney trafficking in Abuja’s satellite towns. His disclosures, alongside petitions from civil society groups, reportedly prompted police attention to the matter.

While viral claims suggested widespread kidney sales among youths in Nyanya, Mararaba, and Karu, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has denied receiving any official reports of such scale, urging the public to disregard unverified publications and instead provide credible information directly to law enforcement.