A young Nigerian, Samuel Ezekiel, has narrated how he was allegedly deceived by his friend into undergoing a kidney removal procedure before part of the money he received was reportedly spent on electronic gadgets.
Ezekiel shared his experience while speaking to journalists during the parade of suspects linked to an alleged organ-harvesting syndicate operating across Abuja and Nasarawa State.
He said his friend, Emmanuel Odeh, initially told him they were going to a hospital, and he agreed because he trusted him. Odeh allegedly later connected him with another man identified as David, who took him to an agent known as Ben for medical tests.
According to Ezekiel, his first test did not match the intended recipient, but he was later informed that another recipient had been found and that his kidney was a match.
He alleged that he was instructed to use the name “Hassan Abubakar” and was taken to the Federal High Court, where an affidavit was prepared before he was taken to Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja.
Ezekiel said he signed documents at the hospital and was taken into the theatre after receiving money in dollars.
He said he handed the money to Odeh for safekeeping before the procedure, but alleged that his friend later exchanged the money and used part of it to buy two phones, two power banks and two Wi-Fi devices.
“He bought two phones, two power banks, and two Wi-Fi. Then he now gave me one and held one.”
Ezekiel said he remained in the hospital for about a week before being discharged and taken to a hotel, where he stayed with Odeh for another two days. They later travelled to Cross River State, where he said they remained for about three months.
When he eventually asked Odeh about the money, Ezekiel said his friend told him it had already been spent. He also alleged that Odeh later sold his phone to raise money for their journey back to Abuja.
Ezekiel said he knew the procedure involved his kidney but claimed he had been reassured that it would not cause health problems.
“He just told me that it’s something that they will just convert it, that there’s not any issue in there.”
He confirmed that he consented to the procedure, which he said took place on April 24, although he could not remember the exact amount he received.
The allegations emerged as the Nigeria Police Force investigates an alleged organ-harvesting network operating in Abuja and Nasarawa. Police recently paraded several suspects, including two nephrologists and alleged recruiters, following a sting operation in Auta Balefi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The police allege that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young people and used false representations and forged documents to facilitate illegal kidney removals.
The case became public after activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, said a young man approached his NGO with medical evidence indicating that his left kidney was missing.
Police investigations are ongoing as authorities work to identify other people allegedly connected to the network.
Source: Nigeria Police Force / Statements from Samuel Ezekiel.
