Friend allegedly lured 22-year-old into kidney harvesting scheme in Abuja with promise to “hustle”

22-year-old boy explains how friend lured him onto kidney harvesting scheme

A 22-year-old man, Samuel Ezekiel, has narrated how a trusted friend allegedly deceived him into undergoing kidney removal at a hospital in Abuja after promising that they would “hustle” and make money together.

Ezekiel's account has emerged as police investigate an alleged organ-harvesting and human-trafficking network operating across Abuja and Nasarawa State.

The Nigeria Police Force said four suspects — including two medical doctors — were arrested during a sting operation conducted by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on August 19.

Those arrested were Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53; and David Idoko, 25.

Police identified Oyime as a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, while Otukpa is also a nephrologist and the hospital's Acting Director of Clinical Services.

‘It was my friend that deceived me’

According to Ezekiel, he trusted Ode and routinely followed his instructions without asking questions because he believed his friend was helping him find a legitimate way to make money.

“It was my friend that deceived me. His name is Emmanuel Ode. Emmanuel told me when they removed it nothing will happen. He said if they remove my kidney nothing will happen.”

22-year-old boy lured onto kidney harvesting scheme said he was deceived 

Ezekiel said Ode subsequently connected him with an agent, who took him to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, where he underwent medical tests.

He said that after the initial tests, they were told that his kidney did not match the person he was originally expected to donate to.

But the situation changed when, according to his account, the group informed him that another prospective recipient had been found whose requirements matched his kidney.

He was then taken through the procedure.

Ezekiel said he was given $350 before the operation and handed the money over before going into surgery. When he regained consciousness, he said Ode had converted the money into naira and spent it on two iPhones, power banks and MiFi devices for the two of them.

The pair subsequently travelled to Cross River State, where Ezekiel said the remaining money was spent.

Eventually, he said, they were left without enough money for transportation and had to sell his phone to raise funds for the journey back.

Ode's account to investigators, as released by the police, presents a different figure.

According to Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, Ode allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.

The police said he told investigators:

“During interrogation, Emmanuel Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences. He disclosed that on 24th April 2026, he lured one Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for the sum of $1,250 USD (One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty US Dollars), equivalent to ₦1,700,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) at the current exchange rate.”

That creates a striking discrepancy.

Ezekiel says he received $350, while police say Ode disclosed that the kidney was harvested for $1,250.

The difference has not been explained publicly and could become an important part of the ongoing investigation as authorities attempt to establish who paid what, who received the money and how the alleged proceeds were distributed.

Police said the investigation has uncovered another alleged victim who was recruited by the same agent in 2022.

According to the police account, the victim underwent a similar kidney-removal procedure and was allegedly paid ₦7 million.

Investigators are now attempting to establish whether the two cases are isolated incidents or part of a wider operation involving additional victims and intermediaries.

Police said the suspected syndicate allegedly preyed on vulnerable and financially desperate young people in Nasarawa and surrounding communities.

Investigators also allege that members of the network used forged documents to facilitate the procedures, including victims' names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters.

That allegation could significantly widen the investigation because it suggests the suspected operation may have involved more than recruitment and transportation of potential donors.

Four suspects in custody

The police have linked four people to the investigation.

Emmanuel Ode is accused of recruiting victims under false pretences.

Dr Benjamin Oyime, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, and Dr Daniel Otukpa, another nephrologist and the hospital's Acting Director of Clinical Services, are among those arrested.

The fourth suspect is David Idoko, 25. Police said all four were arrested during the August 19 sting operation.

Four arrested in connection with kidney harvesting scheme

Authorities have not publicly established the criminal liability of any of the suspects, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and due process.

Mother says she only learnt about the alleged kidney removal later

The case also came to wider public attention after Ezekiel's mother said she had no knowledge that her son had been taken to Abuja for the procedure.

She said she received a phone call informing her that her son's kidney had allegedly been removed and subsequently began making inquiries. She later learnt that Ode had taken Ezekiel to the hospital.

The revelation has raised further questions about the circumstances under which Ezekiel's consent was obtained and whether the documents used during the procedure accurately reflected his identity and understanding of what was being done.

As police investigators continue tracing the alleged network, the case is increasingly being viewed not simply as an alleged illegal organ-removal operation, but as a possible human-trafficking scheme that exploited young people's financial desperation and relied on deception to obtain access to their bodies.

The police say efforts are continuing to identify other members of the alleged network and establish the full extent of its activities.