The mother of 22-year-old Samuel Ezekiel has expressed her shock and distress after learning that her son had undergone a kidney removal procedure without her knowledge. The revelation came through a phone call from a concerned individual who informed her that Ezekiel's kidney had been harvested. This incident reportedly took place on April 24, 2026, at Wellington Hospital in Abuja, where Ezekiel was taken under false pretenses by his friend, Emmanuel Ode.

Ezekiel, who spoke to journalists, detailed how Ode misled him into believing they were going to the hospital for a different medical purpose. He claimed that Ode assured him that the removal of his kidney would not adversely affect his health. During the procedure, Ezekiel's identity was allegedly changed to “Hassan Abubakar,” and an affidavit was prepared at the Federal High Court prior to the surgery.

The Nigeria Police Force has since arrested Ode, along with two doctors and another accomplice, in connection with an alleged organ-harvesting and human-trafficking syndicate operating in Abuja and Nasarawa State. The suspects include Dr. Benjamin Oyime, a nephrologist and consultant at the hospital, Dr. Daniel Otukpa, the Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital, and David Idoko. They were apprehended during a sting operation conducted by the Special Tactical Squad on August 19.

According to police reports, Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretenses, targeting vulnerable individuals who were often uneducated and in dire financial situations. Investigators uncovered that official documents, including National Identification Numbers and consent letters, were forged to facilitate these illegal organ removals.

Ezekiel's mother recounted her confusion upon receiving the phone call about her son's surgery. She immediately contacted another son for clarification, who initially claimed he knew nothing. It was only later that she learned from her younger son that Ezekiel had been taken to a hospital by Ode. This prompted her to report the incident to the police.

Despite the operation, Ezekiel did not return home with any money. He stated that he had received payment in US dollars for the kidney, which he entrusted to Ode for safekeeping before the surgery. After the operation, Ode allegedly changed the money and used part of it to purchase electronic devices, leaving Ezekiel with little to show for the ordeal.

Ezekiel, who had been learning computer skills after completing secondary school, had left his mother's home in Nyanya, Abuja, to stay with his father in Ogun State. His mother explained that she did not initially notice his absence, but her concern grew when the police advised her to take him back to the hospital due to complications from the surgery. He was reportedly walking around with surgical stitches that had not been removed, which later developed pus.

The police have stated that investigations into the organ-harvesting syndicate are ongoing, with efforts to apprehend additional suspects connected to the network. This case is part of a broader investigation into alleged organ trafficking, which gained attention after social media activist Martins Otse raised concerns about missing kidneys among young people in the region. The FCT Police Command has cautioned the public against unverified claims regarding widespread organ selling, urging anyone with credible information to report to the authorities.