The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and paraded several suspects in an alleged illegal organ-harvesting case involving 22-year-old Samuel Ezekiel, who claimed his left kidney was removed without proper consent at a hospital in Abuja.
The case came to public attention after Ezekiel sought the help of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, in August 2026.
How Samuel Allegedly Lost His Kidney
Ezekiel reportedly told VeryDarkMan that he underwent a procedure at Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, but later discovered through medical examinations that his left kidney was missing.
According to reports, further checks at Nisa Premier Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi reportedly confirmed the absence of the organ.
Police investigations allegedly traced the case to Emmanuel Ode, a young man accused of recruiting Ezekiel and taking him to the hospital under false pretences on April 24, 2026.
Suspect Allegedly Confesses
Police said Ode confessed during interrogation that Ezekiel’s kidney was harvested and sold for $1,250, equivalent to about ₦1.7 million at the time.
After the procedure, Ezekiel was allegedly given the money and taken towards Calabar while his surgical wound healed, apparently to keep him away from his family. Police said some of the proceeds were used to purchase items, including mobile phones.
A second alleged victim reportedly told investigators that he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and received ₦7 million after one of his kidneys was removed.
Ode himself reportedly told investigators that he had sold one of his kidneys for ₦7 million in 2022 before becoming involved in recruiting others.
Doctors Among Suspects
Those arrested and paraded include Emmanuel Ode, identified as the alleged recruiter; Dr Benjamin Oyime, a nephrologist linked to Wellington Hospital; Dr Daniel Otukpa, also identified as a nephrologist and acting director of clinical services at the hospital; and David Idoko.
The arrests followed a sting operation carried out by the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad on August 19, 2026, in Auta Balefi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu confirmed the operation, while investigators reportedly recovered items allegedly purchased with proceeds of the suspected crime.
More Victims Allegedly Targeted
VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, has alleged that the case could be connected to a wider network targeting vulnerable young people in areas including Masaka, Nyanya and Mararaba.
He claimed that more than 10 youths may have been targeted and alleged that harvested kidneys were subsequently sold for significantly higher amounts, with some claims putting the resale value between ₦50 million and ₦70 million.
The claims have not been independently established, and police investigations are expected to determine the full extent of the alleged network.
Police Continue Investigation
Illegal organ harvesting is a serious criminal offence, while Nigeria’s health laws require informed consent for organ donation and prohibit financial inducement in the donation process.
The suspects are facing allegations including criminal conspiracy, human trafficking and related offences. The doctors and other suspects remain in custody as investigations continue into the alleged network and possible involvement of additional medical personnel or facilitators.
The case has renewed concerns about the exploitation of financially vulnerable Nigerians and the need for stronger enforcement against illegal organ trafficking.
