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.
