The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, over an alleged organ-harvesting syndicate in Nasarawa State.
According to the police briefing reported by Channels Television, the suspects allegedly targeted vulnerable young men, luring them into kidney donations and paying them far less than the alleged value of the organs.
Police said one victim was allegedly paid about $1,250, while another reportedly received N7 million after his kidney was removed.
Investigators also alleged that forged documents, including birth certificates, affidavits, consent letters and identification documents, were used to facilitate the procedures and conceal the identities of some victims.
One alleged victim recounted during the briefing how he was deceived into donating his kidney.
A representative of Wellington Clinic, where some of the procedures allegedly took place, also addressed the media, claiming that the hospital only provided the platform for the surgeries and was unaware of the alleged illegal activities involving changes to donors’ identities.
The police said investigations are ongoing as they work to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate.
