Organ Trafficking in Nigeria and the Global Context

Organ trafficking in Nigeria is part of a wider global crisis where demand for organs far outstrips supply, fueling illicit trade and exploitation. The Imo demolition case is a stark local example of this hidden but pervasive problem.

Organ Trafficking in Nigeria and the Global Context

Nigeria’s Silent Crisis

Organ trafficking in Nigeria has been described as a “silent crisis” because it often operates in the shadows, exploiting vulnerable populations. 

Victims are typically drawn from marginalized groups, including the poor, unemployed, or socially disadvantaged. They may be deceived into believing that organ removal is safe or consensual, when in reality it is coerced or fraudulent. 

Reports highlight that illegal harvesting often occurs through compulsion, fraud, or abduction, with organs sold for transplantation or commercial purposes.

The case of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who was convicted in the UK for conspiring to traffic a young man for organ harvesting, brought international attention to Nigeria’s role in this illicit trade. 

Analysts note that while organ donation is a legitimate medical practice, in Nigeria it has been abused to the point where it is increasingly seen as a curse rather than a blessing.

Legal scholars emphasize that Nigeria faces challenges in combating trafficking in human organs due to weak enforcement, corruption, and lack of awareness. Despite laws prohibiting organ trafficking, enforcement remains inconsistent, and criminal networks exploit loopholes.

The Global Picture

Globally, organ trafficking is driven by a severe shortage of organs for transplantation. For example, in the United States, over 103,000 individuals are currently on the transplant waiting list, while only 48,149 transplants were performed in 2024. Similar shortages exist in the UK, where nearly 12,000 people await transplantsPublic Safety Magazine. This imbalance between supply and demand creates fertile ground for illicit markets.

International organizations like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stress that human trafficking for organ removal is often misunderstood. While popular culture depicts victims waking up in bathtubs missing kidneys, the reality is more complex. Victims may appear to consent, but their consent is invalid if obtained through deception, fraud, or exploitation of vulnerability.

Studies show that over 125,000 people undergo organ transplantation annually worldwide, a relatively small number compared to those waiting. This gap fuels trafficking in human organs (TIHO) and human trafficking for organ removal (HTOR), both of which involve coercion, fraud, and exploitation.

Connecting Imo to the Global Crisis

The demolition of properties in Imo linked to suspected organ trafficking is not an isolated incident but part of a larger global pattern. Nigeria’s vulnerabilities, poverty, corruption, and weak enforcement, mirror challenges faced in other countries where organ trafficking thrives. The Imo case underscores how criminal networks exploit local communities, using facilities like mortuaries and hotels as cover for illicit activities.

By situating the Imo demolition within this broader context, it becomes clear that Nigeria’s fight against organ trafficking is both a national security issue and a human rights imperative. Tackling it requires stronger enforcement, public awareness, and international cooperation to close the gap between organ demand and supply.