The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four suspects allegedly linked to a syndicate involved in human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting in Nasarawa State.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) following credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate, the police said.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the operatives conducted a sting operation at about 6:00 p.m. on August 19, 2026, in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The operation resulted in the arrest of the four suspects, while clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the criminal activities were recovered as exhibits.

Those arrested were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; and David Idoko, 25.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate allegedly preyed on vulnerable and financially desperate young people, particularly uneducated persons in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.

Ode, according to the police, confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences.

The police alleged that Ode admitted luring a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026, where the victim’s kidney was allegedly harvested.

He reportedly told investigators that the victim was paid $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million, for the kidney.

The police also said another victim alleged that Ode lured him to a hospital in 2022, where his kidney was allegedly harvested in exchange for N7 million.

Beyond the alleged recruitment of victims, investigators uncovered an apparent document-forgery component to the operation.

The police said members of the syndicate allegedly forged documents used to facilitate the procedures, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.

The force said the evidence gathered so far indicated that the suspects exploited the financial vulnerability of their victims to obtain what was presented as consent for the illegal removal of their organs.

It added that investigations were ongoing to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and identify other persons involved.

The police further disclosed that efforts were underway to arrest other suspects believed to be connected to the network.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting, the force said it would continue efforts to dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable Nigerians.

“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,” the statement said.