The police, on Friday, announced the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to Wellington Hospital in Abuja and their conspirators in an organ harvesting and human trafficking racket targeting vulnerable and uneducated people in Nasarawa State.
In a statement on Friday, the police announced the arrest of four members of an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate in a satellite town in Nasarawa, near Abuja
“The Nigeria Police Force, through operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), on 27th August 2026, paraded four suspects arrested in connection with an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State,” the police said.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Special Tactical Squad carried out a sting operation on 19th August 2026, leading to the arrests.
“The suspects arrested are Emmanuel Ode, male, 23 years, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr. Benjamin Oyime, male, 48 years, of Edo State, a Nephrologist (Kidney Consultant) and Consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr. Daniel Otukpa, male, 53 years, of Benue State, also a Nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and David Idoko, male, 25 years,” the police said.
According to the police, during interrogation, Emmanuel Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences. He disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he lured a victim, Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for $1,250 (N1.7 million) 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 N7 million.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects and their accomplices allegedly targeted vulnerable and uneducated young persons within Nasarawa State and its environs, exploiting their financial desperation to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting. Evidence gathered indicates that the suspects forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN), birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits, and consent letters to facilitate these criminal activities,” the police said.
Wellington Hospital could not be immediately reached for comment on the alleged involvement of its staff in black market organ harvesting and human trafficking, as reported by the Nigerian police.
Peoples Gazette called Wellington Hospital Abuja’s publicly listed contact number, 0816 870 4327, twice for comment, but the calls were not answered.
Ani Iniedu, spokesperson for the police, said, “The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation.”
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects connected to the syndicate,” he added.