Suspected kidnapper picked from a hotel in Edo

Kidney harvesting and organ trafficking are growing concerns in Nigeria, particularly around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and nearby Nasarawa State. These illicit activities often involve private hospitals partnering with networks of agents who recruit vulnerable young people from low-income areas. A recent case on August 9, 2026, saw the arrest of four suspects, including an alleged recruiter and doctors from a hospital in Abuja.

One suspect confessed to luring a 22-year-old to the hospital in April 2026 for a kidney harvest in exchange for N1.7 million. Another victim reportedly received N7 million in 2022.

Undercover investigations, such as the Daily Trust's "Inside Abuja’s Kidney ‘Market’," have exposed the shadow economy of illegal organ trafficking operating in FCT and Nasarawa State communities like Mararaba and Masaka. This inhumane trade persists due to the high rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD), affecting one in every seven to eight adults in Nigeria. Globally, it is estimated that 674 million people have CKD, with most affected in low- and middle-income countries.

The lack of functional organ banks, absence of deceased donation programmes, and weak enforcement of the National Health Act of 2014 contribute to this problem. Section 48 mandates informed consent for tissue or organ removal, while prohibiting the sale, buying, or commercial trade of human organs. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is urged to enforce Section 20 of the Trafficking in Persons Act, collaborate with the Police, and work with advocacy groups to raise awareness and crack down on organ harvesting syndicates.