The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four medical doctors and other suspects over alleged organ trafficking and illegal kidney sales in Nasarawa State.
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) Special Tactical Squad carried out a sting operation at Altabalefi in Karu Local Government Area at about 6pm after receiving what the police described as credible intelligence.
The operation led to the arrest of four suspects, including two nephrologists, according to the police briefing reported by Channels Television. 
Police allege kidney recruitment scheme
The police accused one of the suspects, Emmanuel Odeh, of recruiting people under false pretences and connecting them with individuals seeking kidney donors.
The Commander of the FID Special Tactical Squad explained Odeh’s alleged role, saying, “He’s now the one recruiting people, other people to come and sell their kidney.”
Police investigators also alleged that Odeh sold his own kidney for #7 million in 2022 before he began recruiting other people.
The police further alleged that the suspected syndicate targeted vulnerable young men and paid some donors far less than the alleged value attached to their kidneys.
Investigators said the alleged syndicate paid one victim about $1,250 and another N7 million after removing his kidney.
Alleged victim recounts how he was recruited
One alleged victim, whom the police also treated as a suspect, accused Odeh of deceiving him into the kidney donation.
“It’s my friend that deceived me. His name is Emmanuel Odeh” he said.
He explained that Odeh later told him that his kidney matched that of a recipient and took him to Wellington Clinic in Life Camp, Abuja.
“After we signed, then later in the night, around 10 to 11, they now come and give us money in dollar,” he alleged.
The police also alleged that suspects used forged documents, including birth certificates, affidavits, consent letters and identification documents, to facilitate some of the procedures and conceal the identities of donors.
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Consultant says donors gave consent
A renal transplant consultant linked to the procedures maintained that the kidney donations involved the consent of the donors.
The consultant said, “For the kidney transplant, usually we will tell them first and foremost we will that you can get your relatives if you can convince any of your relatives to come in for this transplant, that will be ideal.”
The consultant said the facility had carried out five kidney transplant procedures since January.
A representative of Wellington Clinics in Life Camp, Abuja, also addressed the allegations, claiming that the hospital provided the platform for the surgeries but did not know about alleged attempts to change the identities of donors.
Separate Abuja kidney allegation under investigation
Separately, the police have arrested a doctor at Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, following allegations that a patient discovered that one of his kidneys was missing.
Operatives of the Police Special Tactical Squad reportedly arrested the doctor after the Vincent Ose Initiative submitted a petition and social media activist VeryDarkMan raised an alert over the case.
The patient, identified as Ezekiel Samuel, reportedly discovered through medical scans at another hospital that one of his kidneys was missing.
His friend, who initially took him to the hospital, also reportedly discovered that he had lost a kidney. The friend allegedly claimed that someone sold the kidney for N7 million.
The police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported missing kidneys and determine whether anyone committed an offence.
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Police investigate alleged organ trafficking
The police said the suspects in the Nasarawa case will face prosecution as investigations continue.
Investigators are also working to identify and arrest other people who may have links to the alleged syndicate.
The investigation will determine whether the reported kidney removals, payments, recruitment and use of documents amounted to criminal activity.
The Nigeria Police Force stressed that organ harvesting remains a criminal offence in Nigeria.
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