A medical doctor has been arrested in Abuja in connection with an alleged illegal kidney harvesting and trafficking network, social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has announced.
The arrest followed public outrage over the case of Ezekiel Samuel, a young man who reportedly discovered that his left kidney was missing after visiting a hospital in the Federal Capital Territory.
—How the Case Came to Light—
Samuel approached VDM’s office on August 18, 2026, seeking assistance after he suspected foul play.
![](https://www.theconclaveng.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Hartland.png")
VDM said he arranged independent medical examinations for Samuel at two facilities, including a government hospital in Jabi. Both examinations, according to VDM, confirmed the absence of Samuel’s left kidney.
VDM had earlier alleged that Samuel was lured to the hospital by a friend, who has also been arrested by police. He claimed the friend was missing a kidney as well and allegedly sold it for N7 million.
—“More Than 10 Victims” — Lawyer Alleges Organized Ring—
VDM’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, told Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday that investigations have expanded beyond Samuel’s case.
Abubakar alleged that more than 10 young Nigerians may have been victims of an organised kidney-harvesting operation involving medical practitioners and agents.
“Some vulnerable youths were lured to medical facilities under various pretexts and subsequently had their kidneys removed without informed consent,” Abubakar alleged.
He further alleged that some of the harvested kidneys were sold to recipients for between N50 million and N70 million, while the victims received only a fraction of the proceeds.
The lawyer said police action has followed the investigation, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the alleged operation. He stressed that legitimate organ donation requires informed consent and must not involve financial inducement.
—Public Outcry Over Patient Safety—
The allegations have sparked widespread concern over patient safety, medical ethics and the possible existence of an illegal organ-trafficking network operating in Abuja and surrounding communities.
Civil society groups and medical stakeholders have called for urgent action to protect vulnerable patients and sanitise the health sector.
—Investigation Ongoing—
Authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the identity of the arrested doctor or the full scope of the alleged network.
Security sources said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidney removals and to determine the roles of all suspects linked to the case.
The allegations remain subject to police investigation and official confirmation.
