By
Gloria Josiah

The Nigeria Police Force says operatives have broken up an alleged organ harvesting syndicate in Nasarawa State and nearby communities, arresting four people during the operation.

According to the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad, FID-STS, the arrests were made on August 19, 2026, in a sting operation at Auta Baleifi, Karu LGA.

The announcement was made Thursday at a press briefing where police also paraded suspects linked to armed robbery, vehicle theft, and drug trafficking.

Kidney Trafficking Suspects
Police identified the four suspects as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr. Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist from Edo State; Dr. Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist from Benue State; and David Idoko, 25.

Investigators allege the group targeted young people facing financial hardship and deceived them into agreeing to illegal organ removal.

Ode reportedly confessed to recruiting victims. He told police that on April 24, 2026, he took 22-year-old Samuel Ezekiel to a hospital where one kidney was allegedly removed for $1,250, roughly ₦1.7 million.

Idoko also said he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and had his kidney removed, after which he was paid ₦7 million.

Police added that forged documents were found, including National ID numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits, and consent letters with victims’ details. Clothes allegedly bought with proceeds from the crime were also recovered.

A manhunt is ongoing for other members of the syndicate.

5 Arrested Over ₦100m Phone Robbery
In another case, FID-STS arrested five suspects over the attack on a Sanniphil Company vehicle transporting phones and accessories worth about ₦100 million.

The vehicle was ambushed on August 5 while moving from Lagos to Onitsha. The suspects, Okori Joyus, 23; Yetunde Lasisi, 53; Usen Samuel, 20; Usen Wisdom, 25; and Quadri Oluwadare, 56, were later picked up in Ogun State.

Police recovered 81 new phones and 196 chargers. Efforts to arrest other gang members and recover more items are continuing.

Driver Caught With 80kg+ of Suspected Colorado
Police also arrested Onyebuchi Ononiwu, 53, a driver with an Abuja-based transport company, on July 16.

Officers said 120 wraps of a drug called “Kolos,” also known as Colorado, weighing over 80kg and worth several million naira, were found on him. The consignment was allegedly moved from Lagos to Abuja.

Ononiwu is cooperating with investigators. Police are also probing the transport company’s possible role.

3 Arrested for Armed Robbery and Car Snatching
Three suspected robbers, Ahmed Saidu alias “Diamond”; Alex Gabriel alias “Junior”; and Ahmed Mahudu, were arrested between August 14 and 19 in coordinated operations in Kaduna and Abuja.

They are linked to a series of gunpoint vehicle snatchings in Abuja and environs. A red Toyota Corolla and an army-green Golf 3 were recovered.

The suspects named Yakubu Yewa alias “Y/Come” as the gang leader. Police said Yewa is already detained at Kuje Correctional Centre facing trial for armed robbery. The suspects alleged he coordinated the robberies and handled disposal of stolen vehicles within and outside Nigeria.

Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest more members and recover additional vehicles and weapons.

The Force said it remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and urged the public to provide credible information to help security agencies.