Atiku Raises Alarm Over Alleged Kidney Sales as Economic Hardship Deepens in Nigeria

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are allegedly considering the sale of their kidneys as a desperate response to worsening economic hardship.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), raised the concern in a post on X on Thursday, linking the alleged development to the rising cost of living under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said he had received what he described as “disturbing stories” of young Nigerians allegedly turning to the sale of body organs, particularly kidneys, to raise money.

“Perhaps the most horrifying are the growing reports of young people selling parts of their bodies: kidneys in particular, in desperate attempts to raise money,” Atiku wrote.

The former Vice President said young Nigerians should instead be channeling their energy into building businesses, careers and innovative solutions that can contribute to the country’s development.

“Young Nigerians should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” he said.

Atiku also claimed that some young Nigerians were allegedly being offered as little as ₦1.7 million for their kidneys. The figure was not initially linked by him to a specific report or official agency.

However, the amount is similar to a figure mentioned in a recent police investigation into an alleged organ-trafficking syndicate. The Nigeria Police Force had paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, over the alleged operation.

According to the police, one of the suspects, Emmanuel Ode, allegedly admitted to recruiting victims and said a 22-year-old man was allegedly lured to a hospital in Abuja in April, where his kidney was reportedly harvested for $1,250, approximately ₦1.7 million.

Investigators said the alleged syndicate targeted vulnerable and financially distressed young people in Nasarawa and neighbouring areas.

Atiku argued that the rising cost of food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicines and electricity had placed significant pressure on households and increased the vulnerability of young Nigerians.

“When young Nigerians begin to see their kidneys as emergency savings, we are no longer talking about ordinary economic hardship. We are talking about desperation at its most frightening,” he said.

Although the commercial sale of human organs and organ trafficking are prohibited under Nigerian law, Atiku argued that enforcement alone would not address the economic conditions that could make vulnerable people susceptible to criminal networks.

He called for policies aimed at reducing the cost of living, improving healthcare access, creating decent employment opportunities and making essential goods and services more affordable.

Atiku also advocated what he described as “economic reforms with a human face”, saying young Nigerians need renewed opportunities and hope.

He concluded with a criticism of the Tinubu administration, stating: “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”