Mother Discovers Son's Kidney Harvested After Unexpected Phone Call

The mother of Samuel Ezekiel, a 22-year-old, has recounted how she was informed of her son's kidney removal through a phone call, completely unaware that such a procedure had taken place. Mrs. Ezekiel stated she had no prior knowledge that her son had been transported to a hospital in Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested on April 24, 2026.

Samuel Ezekiel had previously informed journalists that his friend, Emmanuel Ode, had misled him into believing they were visiting Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja, for an unrelated purpose before the alleged organ removal. According to Ezekiel, Ode had assured him that the procedure would not negatively impact his health or daily life. He further claimed that his identity was altered to “Hassan Abubakar” and an affidavit prepared at the Federal High Court before the operation.

Investigations by the police later alleged that Ode recruited Ezekiel, and the victim's kidney was sold for $1,250, equivalent to approximately N1.7 million. The Nigeria Police Force subsequently paraded Ode, along with two doctors and another suspect, as part of an alleged organ-harvesting and human-trafficking ring operating in Abuja and Nasarawa State. Those paraded included Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr. Benjamin Oyime, a 48-year-old nephrologist and consultant at Wellington Hospital; Dr. Daniel Otukpa, 53, a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; and David Idoko, 25.

CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer, stated that operatives of the Special Tactical Squad apprehended the suspects during a sting operation on August 19 in Auta Balefi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. CSP Iniedu added that Ode allegedly confessed during interrogation to luring victims under false pretences. Police further alleged that the syndicate exploited vulnerable and uneducated young individuals facing financial hardship to secure consent for illegal organ harvesting. Investigators also claimed that official documents, including names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits, and consent letters of victims, were forged to facilitate these procedures.

Ezekiel's mother, however, remained oblivious to these developments. She described being at her shop when she received a call from someone who had heard about her son's kidney removal. “I was in the shop one day, and someone called me to say they heard that my son’s kidney had been removed,” she told journalists on Friday. She immediately contacted another of her sons for clarification, who initially denied any knowledge. It was only later that her younger son disclosed that Emmanuel had taken Ezekiel to a hospital, leading her to report the matter to the police. “So, later, he told me that the junior one told him that Emmanuel took him to a hospital and then went and removed his kidney. So, that was how I went to the police station to report the matter,” she explained.

When asked if Ezekiel brought any money home after the procedure, she firmly replied, “No, no, no.” Ezekiel himself had told journalists that he received payment in US dollars, which he entrusted to Ode for safekeeping before entering the operating theatre. He alleged that after the operation, Ode converted the money and used a portion to purchase two phones, two power banks, and two Wi-Fi devices. Ezekiel claimed Ode gave him one of each item, keeping the other set for himself. The victim remained hospitalized for about a week before being discharged. Ode then took him to a hotel for two days before relocating to Cross River State, where they stayed for nearly three months.

Ezekiel further alleged that when he inquired about the money, Ode claimed it had been spent. Later, when they lacked funds for transport back to Abuja, Ode allegedly sold Ezekiel’s phone to cover their journey expenses. His mother explained that she hadn't immediately noticed his absence because he had moved from her residence in Nyanya, Abuja, to live with his father in Ota, Ogun State. She added that after completing secondary school, the family could not afford further education, so arrangements were made for him to learn computer skills.