The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested a suspect in connection with the rising scourge of organ harvesting in Akwa Ibom State. The alarming revelation was made during a media briefing on Saturday in Uyo, the state capital, to commemorate the 2025 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Speaking at the event, NAPTIP’s State Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, highlighted the growing menace of organ trafficking in the region. Represented by the agency’s Head of Public Enlightenment, Eme Ukpabio, Awhen painted a grim picture of clandestine activities linked to some clinics and hospitals in Akwa Ibom.
“Organ harvesting is one thing that is very high now,” Awhen stated. “Some clinics in this town, with due apologies to doctors engaged in legitimate businesses, are involved in organ harvesting. This has become a booming trade in our state.”
Suspect Transferred for Justice
According to NAPTIP, the arrested suspect is not a native of Akwa Ibom but was apprehended in the state. Mr. Awhen explained the agency’s procedure for handling such cases: “When we have such a case, we refer it to the mother state of the suspect. Our role is to do the initial job and then transfer the case to the command covering the suspect’s state for justice to take its course.”
While details of the suspect’s identity remain undisclosed, the case has sparked widespread concern over the vulnerability of unsuspecting victims and the complicity of medical facilities in these heinous acts.
NAPTIP’s Expanding Crackdown
The arrest is one of many steps NAPTIP has taken in its broader crackdown on human trafficking. Over the past year, the agency has secured more than 60 convictions, with 15 additional cases currently pending in courts. This achievement underscores the agency’s commitment to combating various forms of exploitation, including sex trafficking, labour trafficking, and organ trafficking.
Eme Ukpabio, who spoke on behalf of Awhen, emphasized that not all arrests lead to court cases. “We have had arrests I cannot count,” Ukpabio said. “When we realize that most of these cases are not really human trafficking cases, we release the individuals. The ones that meet the criteria are put in our centers and charged to court.”
A Network of Advocacy and Awareness
The event also featured remarks from the state Coordinator of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL), Ambassador Peace Edem. He highlighted the emotional and psychological toll of human trafficking on victims, calling for increased community awareness.
“Different forms of human trafficking have been mentioned—sex trafficking, labour trafficking, organ trafficking, and others,” Edem explained. “The dangers associated with these acts include physical harm, emotional and psychological trauma, and violence. Continuous sensitization is critical, as many people unknowingly fall victim.”
Edem’s call for action echoes NAPTIP’s efforts to “strengthen communities by connecting the dots,” the theme of this year’s awareness day. The collaboration between NAPTIP, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and NACTAL seeks to empower communities with knowledge to detect and prevent trafficking activities.
Organ Trafficking: A Grim Reality
Organ trafficking has become a lucrative yet sinister trade globally, and Akwa Ibom appears to be one of its epicenters in Nigeria. Victims, often lured by promises of employment or medical assistance, find themselves subjected to illegal surgeries that result in the removal of vital organs.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) classifies organ trafficking as a critical subset of human trafficking. Traffickers exploit economic disparities, targeting individuals in low-income areas or those in desperate situations. This form of trafficking is particularly challenging to combat due to the involvement of sophisticated networks, including unscrupulous medical practitioners and middlemen.
Spotlight on Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom, a coastal state in Nigeria’s South-South region, has faced a surge in human trafficking incidents in recent years. Its strategic location and access to transportation networks make it an attractive hub for traffickers. Moreover, economic challenges and limited opportunities have made the population more vulnerable to exploitation.
Efforts by NAPTIP and allied organizations aim to reverse this trend. By focusing on public enlightenment and community-based interventions, the agency hopes to dismantle trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
The fight against human trafficking requires a multifaceted approach involving law enforcement, healthcare providers, community leaders, and ordinary citizens. Stakeholders have called on the government to strengthen regulatory oversight of healthcare facilities and ensure that medical practitioners adhere strictly to ethical standards.
“Doctors and clinics must be thoroughly monitored,” Awhen said. “We cannot allow a few bad eggs to taint the reputation of the medical profession while endangering innocent lives.”
Additionally, members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities to NAPTIP and other relevant authorities. Awareness campaigns like the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day are essential in mobilizing communities to recognize and reject trafficking in all its forms.
Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges, there is optimism that collaborative efforts will yield significant results. NAPTIP’s recent convictions and ongoing cases reflect progress, while the agency’s partnerships with organizations like NACTAL provide a strong foundation for advocacy and education.
