Two suspects arrested by the police are, a 25-year-old male driver Shafi’u Salisu, who is from Bachirawa Quarters Kano State; and a 22-year-old female agent, Rebecca Adebayo from Kwara State.
KANO, EPICSTORIAN – The Nigerian police arrested two persons suspected of being involved in human organ trafficking in Kano State on Monday, August 12, the security unit said.
The alleged suspects of human organ trafficking were apprehended during a raid in which 13 kidnapped teenagers were rescued. The teenagers were reportedly being trafficked to Libya.
The suspects appear to be a part of a larger criminal network involved in human trafficking and organ harvesting operating secretly in the Nigeria, according to an ongoing investigation outcome by the state police division.
The 13 rescued female teenagers, according to a statement by the police, were being transported by a 25-year-old male driver Shafi’u Salisu, who is from Bachirawa Quarters Kano State; and a 22-year-old female agent, Rebecca Adebayo from Kwara State.
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“On 03/08/2024 at about 04:15pm, a team of Policemen attached to Tsanyawa Division while on stop and search operation along Tsanyawa Federal HighWay, Kano intercepted a Golf Wagon Blue in color with Reg no: NSR 169 AJ conveying thirteen (13) female teenagers including the Driver, Shafi’u Salisu, ‘m’, 25 years old of Bachirawa Quarters Kano and one agent Rebecca Adebayo, ‘f’, 22 years old of Kwara State,” the statement read.
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Victims were also found to have been kidnapped from different states’ locations, human traffickers operate in more than one single location.
“Investigation revealed that the victims were from different States in Nigeria heading to Libya lured and deceived by their respective agents. The case will be transferred to NAPTIP for further investigation,” it added.
The 13 rescued female victims teenagers are currently receiving medical treatment and counseling.
Human Organ trafficking in Nigeria:
Human trafficking has been a serious issue of the general public in Nigeria, with many individuals being lured into forced labour, prostitution, or organ trafficking.
The Nigerian police, however , alongside the military and other Security agencies have continued to work strategically to dismantle these criminal networks, raid their hideouts and bring those responsible to justice.
Recent reports are a testament to the problem of individuals being kidnapped or coerced into selling their organs for profit.
Notwithstanding the letter of the law quoting organ trafficking is illegal in Nigeria, yet “lack of suitable enforcement and regulation has allowed the trade to thrive in the country”.
Organ trafficking often targets vulnerable individuals, such as those living in poverty or those in need of medical care.
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Traffickers may deceive victims into selling their organs by promising them huge financial rewards, payments or medical treatment, only to exploit them for profit, eventually killing them aftet harvesting their vitals.
Lack of available Organ Donors Or Improved Access to Legal Organ Donation and Transplantation Services In Nigeria:
The demand for organs in Nigeria may be driven by a lack of organ donors and the growing presence of black market for organs business, resulting in illegal organ transplants and surgeries, which equally puts the health and safety of both donors and recipients at risk.
Nigerian residents lack increased awareness, stricter enforcement of laws, and improved access to legal organ donation and transplantation services .
The government, law enforcement agencies, and healthcare providers, according to some experts, are doing little or nothing to make new laws that will Protect the well-being and rights of individuals in Nigeria who have become victims of human organ trafficking.
