By Odita Sunday
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) of the Nigeria Police Force have busted an alleged organ harvesting syndicate and arrested four suspects, including two nephrologists, in Nasarawa State.
The police also arrested five suspected members of an armed robbery gang and recovered 81 brand-new mobile phones and 196 chargers, while another suspect was apprehended with 120 wraps of Colorado, a hard drug weighing more than 80kg.
The breakthroughs were disclosed during a press briefing by the FID-STS on Thursday, as part of the squad’s intensified intelligence-led operations against violent crimes and organised criminal networks across the country.
The organ harvesting suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist from Edo State; Dr Daniel Otokpa, 53, also a nephrologist from Benue State; and David Idoko, 25.
The suspects were arrested on August 19, 2026, during a sting operation at Auta Baleifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence received by the police.
According to the police, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects and their alleged accomplices targeted vulnerable and poorly educated young people, particularly teenagers in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas, allegedly exploiting their financial difficulties to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
During interrogation, Emmanuel reportedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences. He allegedly disclosed that on April 24, 2026, he lured a 22-year-old man, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to a hospital where his kidney was allegedly harvested for $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7 million.
Another alleged victim, David Idoko, reportedly told investigators that he was lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital, where his kidney was allegedly harvested and he was paid N7 million.
The police said the syndicate allegedly forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters, to facilitate the alleged criminal activities.
The investigation is ongoing, with efforts intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
In another operation, five suspects were arrested in Ogun State in connection with the robbery of a mobile phone dealer’s vehicle conveying phones and accessories valued at about N100 million.
The suspects, identified as Okori Joyus, 23; Yetunde Lasisi, 53; Usen Samuel, 20; Usen Wisdom, 25; and Quadri Oluwadare, 56, were arrested following a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police by Sanniphil Company, a mobile phone and accessories dealer.
The company vehicle was allegedly attacked on August 5, 2026, while travelling from Lagos to Onitsha, with the suspects allegedly carting away the goods.
Police operatives recovered 81 brand-new mobile phones and 196 chargers during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen property.
Meanwhile, the FID-STS arrested a 53-year-old driver, Onyebuchi Ononiwu, in connection with the alleged transportation of hard drugs from Lagos to Abuja.
On July 16, 2026, operatives acting on actionable intelligence reportedly intercepted Ononiwu, who works with a transport company in Abuja.
A search allegedly led to the recovery of 120 wraps of “Kolos”, also known as Colorado, weighing more than 80kg and estimated to be worth several millions of naira.
Preliminary findings indicated that the consignment was transported from Lagos to Abuja, while investigators were also examining the alleged involvement of the transport company in the movement of the illicit substance.
In a separate operation targeting armed robbery and car-snatching syndicates, three suspected members of a notorious gang were arrested in coordinated operations across Kaduna State and Abuja.
The suspects were identified as Ahmed Saidu, aka Diamond; Alex Gabriel, aka Junior; and Ahmed Mahudu.
The police recovered a red Toyota Corolla and an Army-coloured Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle from the suspects.
According to the police, the suspects were arrested between August 14 and 19, 2026, following credible intelligence linking them to a series of armed robberies involving the snatching of exotic vehicles at gunpoint in Abuja and surrounding areas.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crimes and implicated one Yakubu Yewa, aka Y/Come, as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate.
The police said Yewa is currently in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he is standing trial for armed robbery.
The suspects allegedly told investigators that the kingpin coordinated and directed the robbery operations and supervised the disposal of stolen vehicles within and outside Nigeria.
The FID-STS said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicates, recover additional stolen vehicles and retrieve weapons allegedly used in the commission of the crimes.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property and bringing criminal elements to justice, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.
The operations, according to the police, were carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen the fight against violent crime and threats to national security.
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