Abuja Organ Syndicate Smashed: Senior Wellington Hospital Doctors Arrested For Illegal Kidney Harvesting Ring
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a highly sophisticated organ harvesting syndicate, arresting two prominent doctors from Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, alongside two civilian accomplices.
The suspects—identified as Dr. Daniel Otukpa (53), the Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; Dr. Benjamin Oyime (48), a consultant nephrologist; Emmanuel Ode (23); and David Idoko (25)—were paraded by the police following a targeted sting operation by the Special Tactical Squad (STS).
According to Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the breakthrough came after a meticulous investigation into the exploitation of vulnerable, young Nigerians. The syndicate allegedly operated across Abuja and neighboring Nasarawa State, targeting financially desperate individuals.
Investigators revealed that the network carefully manipulated their victims, utilizing forged National Identification Numbers (NIN), falsified birth certificates, and fabricated parental consent affidavits to bypass stringent legal and medical regulatory checks.
The case blew wide open following the ordeal of 22-year-old Samuel Ezekiel. Ezekiel was allegedly lured to Wellington Hospital in April 2026, where his left kidney was surgically removed. While he was paid approximately ₦1.7 million ($1,250), Ezekiel later raised an alarm, stating he was coerced and that the extraction was conducted without proper, informed legal consent. Police have since tied the ring to a second victim who was paid ₦7 million for a kidney in 2022.
The illicit ring began unraveling publicly after social media activist VeryDarkMan highlighted Ezekiel’s medical scans and petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, sparking widespread public outrage and demanding immediate accountability.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the suspects remain in custody, and a comprehensive file is being prepared to ensure swift prosecution under federal anti-trafficking and healthcare laws.
