Criminals are increasing their potential to cause more harm on Nigerians as they seek evil ways to make money. Today, there are many cases of child theft and organ harvesting going on across several parts of Nigeria.

These are usual stories associated with Nollywood in the past; however, it is no longer secret to hear stories about stolen children from a hospital or even in residential areas in the country.

Last year, the Kogi State House of Assembly called on the state government to take proactive measures in curbing the increasing cases of organ theft and lynching of innocent persons.

The House also called on the police to investigate widely and arrest perpetrators of organ theft in Lokoja, the state capital, and Kogi State in general.

The call was the sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Lokoja I State Constituency, Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani.

Shehu lamented the alarming cases of male organ theft perpetuated by means of superstitious embodiment and magical powers.

While expressing worries about the ugly development, the lawmaker told his colleagues that false claims and actual theft have been recorded, and the victims of false claims are getting lynched.

“We are disturbed by the claim of innocence in some cases, particularly the case of an okada man whose passenger shouted and accused the rider of organ theft and was immediately lynched without investigation at Felele by passers-by, and such other instances are serious causes for concern.

“We are also aware that few individuals were caught and had confessed their crimes. Few others were arraigned and are now being prosecuted for such crimes. Yet the cases of organ theft are on the increase daily, “the lawmaker said.

A number of people, including doctors and medical staff, have been arrested and accused of crimes related to organ harvesting.

In 2018, a mass grave with the bodies of alleged victims were found in Anambra State, believed to be victims of organ trafficking. An investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) revealed a private hospital in Ibadan was engaged in illicit kidney transplantation.

In 2020, a man was arrested in Lagos State for allegedly luring individuals with promises of employment opportunities, only to abduct and forcibly remove their organs.

Similarly, In June 2023, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) denied allegations of missing intestines of a 13-year-old patient, Adebola Akin-Bright, after he underwent corrective surgery without willfully removing any organ or structure.

The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promised to take up the boy’s treatment abroad, but he died shortly thereafter before the required reprieve.

In August 2023, Noah Kekere was arrested by the Plateau State Police command after a businessman named Kamal accused him of illegally harvesting his wife’s kidneys and causing her chronic pain for five years.

Kehinde, who was operated on by Noah in 2018, continued to suffer from stomach pains after the surgery. Later, it was discovered that one of her kidneys had been removed during the surgery five years earlier.

Medical experts have called for concerted action among stakeholders and relevant government agencies, as the trend has had damaging impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Elizabeth Uku, a Laboratory Scientist, noted that organ harvesting happens as a result of compulsion, fraud, or abduction and may exploit vulnerable persons, particularly those living in poverty or marginalized groups.

She stated that instances where an individual’s organ is removed, after a surgery operation, such individuals may not know immediately, depending on the organ removed.

“It is a concern, but the hospital where I work has nothing like that. It is happening, but a lot of these cases don’t come to the media, you may not know.

“Sometimes, it is desperation for quick wealth and some people work with ritualists to harvest organs of people for different purposes,” Uku said.

The World Health Organization estimates that 10 percent of organ transplants worldwide involve organs obtained through illicit means. Nigeria is a significant source, transit, and destination country for organ trafficking.

The growing demand for organs, driven by the growing number of individuals in need, often exceeds the available supply, creating a breeding ground for illegal trafficking networks.

Experts say poverty and economic inequality also contribute to the increase in organ harvesting, as vulnerable individuals may view it as a means to alleviate their financial struggles.

The Nigerian government passed the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition, Enforcement and Administrative Act, which addresses human trafficking. Section 20 of the law specifically addresses the recruitment of persons for organ harvesting.

The law states that anyone who abuses power, dominance, or authority in a vulnerable situation or through payments or benefits to induce consent for organ removal commits an offense.

Joy David, a nurse, said those in the act of harvesting vital organs of people, do it in collaboration with influential Nigerians.

She added that there is a circle and cartel involved in the practice, urging NAPTIP to work with relevant security agencies to check the trend.

According to her, “Medical experts know the implication if your patient organ is missing, so no one does that.

“I’m not saying, it is not happening in the society, we hear of missing people every day, this can be what they take them for. Government is not doing enough to punish those caught.”

Child theft on increase?

Earlier this year, a 27-year-old woman, Edna Friday, who allegedly stole a baby girl, was arraigned at the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State.

She was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and child theft on 19 January in Awka, Anambra.

Similarly, a new couple was arrested in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos for stealing children belonging to their neighbours. However, the children were rescued by the police from their captors in Asaba, Delta state and Onitsha in Anambra state.

In February this year, a boy of about two-year-old was stolen from his grandmother’s shop somewhere in Abudu Lane in the Oriade LCDA of Amuwo-Odofin local government area. The boy and his mother came to pay the grandmother a visit.

Recently, the social media was agog about a case of child theft in a hospital in Owerri, where after a woman was safely delivered of a baby, a nurse came to her to give her injection to relieve her pains, but the woman in question said she did not need the injection.

According to the story, the said nurse insisted on administering the injection on the patient, which was rejected. The nurse then left the patient after persuading her to take what she presented as pain relieving tablets.

However, the patient pretended to have taken the pain killers, and thereafter pretended to have fallen asleep. Unfortunately, the nurse tiptoed to the room thinking the patient had taken the drug and had fallen asleep.

Then she tried to replace the patient’s baby with a dead child, the mother screamed which attracted the attention of those in the hospital. The nurse was caught in the act.

“It’s possible with nurses who do not know God, and it could also happen in a big hospital where they have more than one patient in labour at the same time, most especially when they gave birth at the same time.

“And sometimes, some women could be unconscious after delivery depending on their level of strength. The hospital can urge such women to rest after delivery, and it’s possible for their babies to be stolen or swapped with another woman’s child,” Bolakale Raph-Eniolorunda, nurse and midwife, told BusinessDay.

Victoria Ihentuge, an Owerri-based teacher who used to work as a nurse, told BusinessDay that cases of child theft and organ harvesting were not rampant in the state when she was working in the health sector. “When I worked in a hospital in Owerri, there was no such case. But what I think can help curb it is allowing our husbands to go into the delivery room with us or a close relative must be there,” Ihentuge said.

The mother of four added that: “Because most times, after delivery, the woman is exhausted and she may sleep off, that is when the nurses or doctors could carry out their evil acts.”

Curbing the menace

Child theft and organ harvesting are serious issues that require a multifaceted approach. By working together at the community level, Nigeria/Nigerians can reduce the incidence of child theft and organ harvesting and protect the future of the country.

According to Ihentuge, Nigerians should raise awareness about child safety and the risks of child theft and organ harvesting through community outreach programmes, workshops, and media campaigns.

“Government must educate parents, caregivers about safety measures, such as being cautious in the hospital, especially after delivery, keeping personal information private, and reporting suspicious activities,” Ihentuge said.

Raph-Eniolorunda said the government needs to improve law enforcement agencies’ capacity to investigate and prosecute cases of child theft and organ harvesting, by ensuring perpetrators are arrested and arraigned appropriately.

“I believe the government and hospitals can/should provide support to vulnerable families, such as economic assistance, education, and healthcare, to reduce the risk of children being exploited or sold.

“Also, the government should provide comprehensive support and rehabilitation services for victims of child theft and organ harvesting, including medical care, counseling, and social reintegration,” Raph-Eniolorunda.

More work for security agencies

While cases of child theft and organ harvesting are not completely new in the country, the recent surge calls for more security surveillance by security operatives in the country.

It also points to the need for CCTV in hospitals to make it difficult for anybody walking into any health facility with the intention of carrying out evil acts. (BusinessDay)