The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) during a sting operation at Auta Baleifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on August 19, 2026.
The development was disclosed on Thursday during a press briefing by the FID-STS, where the police also announced separate arrests linked to armed robbery, vehicle snatching and illicit drug trafficking.
The suspects in the organ harvesting investigation were identified 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.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects and their accomplices allegedly targeted vulnerable and financially disadvantaged young people, using deceptive means to obtain their consent for illegal organ removal.
The police said Ode confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences.
He reportedly told investigators that on April 24, 2026, he took a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to a hospital where his kidney was allegedly removed in exchange for $1,250, said to be approximately ₦1.7 million.
Another suspect, Idoko, reportedly told investigators that he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and subsequently had his kidney removed after which he received ₦7 million.
The police further said investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that official documents were allegedly forged to facilitate the activities of the syndicate.
The documents reportedly included National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters bearing victims’ details.
Police said clothing allegedly purchased with proceeds from the activities was also recovered.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected syndicate who remain at large.
FIVE ARRESTED OVER ₦100M MOBILE PHONE ROBBERY
In a separate operation, FID-STS operatives arrested five suspects over the robbery of a vehicle belonging to Sanniphil Company, a dealer in mobile phones and accessories.
The suspects were identified as Okori Joyus, 23; Yetunde Lasisi, 53; Usen Samuel, 20; Usen Wisdom, 25; and Quadri Oluwadare, 56.
The police said the investigation followed a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police by the company after its vehicle, carrying mobile phones and accessories valued at about ₦100 million, was attacked on August 5 while travelling from Lagos to Onitsha.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly attacked the vehicle at about 7 p.m. and made away with the goods.
The five suspects were subsequently arrested in Ogun State.
Police said 81 brand-new mobile phones and 196 chargers were recovered during the operation.
Investigators are continuing efforts to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen property.
POLICE SEIZE OVER 80KG OF SUSPECTED COLORADO
The FID-STS also announced the arrest of a 53-year-old driver, Onyebuchi Ononiwu, in connection with the transportation of a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs.
On July 16, operatives acting on actionable intelligence intercepted Ononiwu, who was identified as a driver with a transport company operating in Abuja.
The police said 120 wraps of a substance identified as “Kolos”, also known as Colorado, were recovered from him.
The substance reportedly weighed more than 80 kilogrammes and was estimated to be worth several millions of naira.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the consignment was transported from Lagos to Abuja.
Police said investigators were also examining the alleged involvement of the transport company in the movement of the substance.
The suspect has reportedly made useful statements and is cooperating with investigators, while efforts are being made to apprehend other persons connected with the operation.
THREE ARRESTED OVER ARMED ROBBERY, CAR SNATCHING
Three suspected members of an armed robbery and vehicle-snatching syndicate have also been arrested following coordinated operations in Kaduna State and Abuja.
The suspects were identified as Ahmed Saidu, also known as Diamond; Alex Gabriel, also known as Junior; and Ahmed Mahudu.
The arrests were made between August 14 and 19 during intelligence-led operations by FID-STS operatives.
The police said the suspects were linked to a series of armed robbery attacks involving the alleged snatching of vehicles at gunpoint in Abuja and surrounding areas.
Two vehicles, a red Toyota Corolla and an army-coloured Golf 3, were recovered during the operation.
The suspects reportedly confessed during interrogation and allegedly identified Yakubu Yewa, also known as Y/Come, as the kingpin of the syndicate.
According to the police, Yewa is currently being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre while standing trial over an armed robbery case.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that the alleged kingpin coordinated robbery operations and supervised the disposal of stolen vehicles within Nigeria and outside the country.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang, recover additional stolen vehicles and locate weapons allegedly used during the robberies.
The Force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and dismantling criminal networks across the country.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending suspects.
