{
  "id": 7707150,
  "title": "Nigeria’s disturbing organ trade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nigerias-disturbing-organ-trade",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T04:17:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/nigerias-disturbing-organ-trade/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Reports of kidney harvesting and organ trafficking have surfaced in Nigeria, particularly around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighboring Nasarawa State. This illicit trade involves private hospitals collaborating with networks of agents who recruit vulnerable young individuals from low-income communities, either through deception or coercion. A recent case involved a young man who discovered a missing kidney after a procedure. On August 9, 2026, four suspects were arrested by the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Tactical Squad, including an alleged recruiter and medical doctors linked to a hospital in Abuja. One suspect confessed to luring a 22-year-old to the hospital in April 2026 for kidney harvesting for about N1.7 million. Another victim from 2022 reportedly received N7 million for their kidney. A three-month undercover investigation by Daily Trust revealed the extent of this shadow economy, exposing the illegal organ trafficking network operating in the FCT and nearby Nasarawa State communities. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in Nigeria, with 11% to 19% of adults affected, primarily due to hypertension, diabetes, and other illnesses. Globally, an estimated 674 million people live with CKD, with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Between 2015 and 2020, at least 651 kidneys were trafficked and illegally transplanted in Nigeria. The National Health Act of 2014 mandates informed consent for tissue or organ removal, prohibits the sale, buying, or commercial trade of human organs, and restricts procedures to authorized hospitals and registered medical practitioners. However, enforcement of these regulations remains inadequate. To combat this issue, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) should prioritize stronger regulation and enforcement, working closely with the Police to dismantle organ harvesting syndicates. Additionally, raising awareness through education campaigns targeting parents, youth, and community leaders is crucial. Improving access to early prevention, treatment, and a transparent national transplant register can help ensure legitimate needs are met ethically, reducing the demand for illegal organ trafficking.",
  "summary": "The disturbing reports of kidney harvesting and organ trafficking particularly around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring Nasarawa State is a sad reflection on the broader failures in public health infrastructure and oversight functions in Nigeria. This illicit business involves private hospitals working with network of agents who recruit vulnerable young people often from […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}