Four Medical Doctors, Others Arrested Over Alleged Kidney Trafficking in Nasarawa State

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four medical doctors and other suspects over their alleged involvement in organ trafficking and illegal kidney sales in Nasarawa State.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) Special Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a sting operation at Altabalefi, Karu Local Government Area, at about 6:00 p.m., leading to the arrest of four suspects.

The police said suspect Emmanuel Odeh allegedly recruited victims under false pretences and connected them to people 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 k+dney.”

The police also alleged that Odeh had previously sold his own kidney for ₦7 million in 2022 before becoming involved in recruiting others.

One alleged victim, who is now also a suspect, said Odeh deceived him.

“It’s my friend that deceived me. His name is Emmanuel Odeh” he said, explaining that Odeh later told him that his kidney matched that of a recipient and took him to Wellington Clinic.

“After we signed, then later in the night, around 10 to 11, they now come and give us money in dollar,” he alleged.

A renal transplant consultant, however, maintained that the procedures were conducted with donors’ consent, saying, “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 conducted five transplant cases since January.

The police said the suspects will face prosecution as investigations continue, stressing that organ harvesting remains a criminal offence in Nigeria.