The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the alarming allegations of organ harvesting and human trafficking across Nigeria, as recently revealed by the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The association described the unfolding scandals as a grave national crisis and a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise that must be addressed with the full force of the law.
This demand follows shocking revelations by NAPTIP’s Akwa Ibom Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, who disclosed that certain medical centers in Akwa Ibom State are complicit in organ harvesting. He also reported that between 2021 and 2024, approximately 750,000 to 1 million children were trafficked in the state for various exploitative purposes, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and organ harvesting. These alarming figures underscore the urgency of the situation and the dire need for government action.
HURIWA expressed profound disappointment in the failure of past governments to confront these scandals decisively. The association urged the federal government to establish an inter-ministerial panel involving the Ministries of Justice and Health to investigate and prosecute offenders. This panel, HURIWA insisted, must include independent experts, forensic investigators, and civil society organizations to ensure transparency and accountability in its operations. The association emphasized that the issue of organ harvesting represents a gross violation of human rights and public trust, requiring swift and uncompromising action.
The association further condemned the persistent lack of accountability in high-profile cases of organ harvesting that have emerged in Nigeria over the years. In 2018, reports surfaced about a syndicate in Anambra State specializing in abducting and killing individuals for organ harvesting. Despite arrests and public outrage, the case faded from public discourse without meaningful prosecutions. Similar incidents occurred in Kano in 2019, where a “baby factory” was uncovered, and in Delta State in 2021, where minors were targeted by an organ harvesting network. In Lagos State, allegations in 2022 pointed to underground clinics conducting illegal organ transplants. However, none of these cases led to significant convictions, raising questions about high-level conspiracies and possible involvement of influential individuals in these heinous crimes.
HURIWA described these failures as a betrayal of the Nigerian people and a major embarrassment to the nation’s justice system. The association argued that the inability to effectively prosecute these cases not only emboldens perpetrators but also undermines the country’s global reputation as a defender of human rights. It called for a robust and transparent legal framework to address the menace, including lifetime bans from medical practice and life imprisonment for convicted offenders. Additionally, HURIWA called for an urgent review of existing laws to ensure that penalties for such crimes reflect the gravity of their impact on victims and society.
The association emphasized the need for a nationwide forensic investigation to uncover the full scope of organ harvesting operations in Nigeria. It called for the creation of a national database to track cases of human trafficking, organ harvesting, and related crimes. Such a database, HURIWA argued, would enhance transparency in investigations, improve accountability, and provide accurate data for policymaking. Furthermore, it urged the federal government to strengthen collaboration with international organizations like INTERPOL and the United Nations to dismantle transnational networks involved in organ harvesting.
HURIWA also highlighted the role of public sensitization in combating human trafficking and organ harvesting. Many victims are lured into these situations through deceit, coercion, or abuse of power, often without fully understanding the risks involved. The association urged the government to launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate communities about these dangers and encourage vigilance. It also called for strong whistleblower protection laws to ensure that individuals who expose organ harvesting networks are safeguarded against retaliation.
The association decried the alleged complicity of some law enforcement agents in enabling these crimes, calling for investigations into such allegations and ensuring that corrupt officials face justice. It argued that the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms and the pervasive culture of impunity have significantly contributed to the proliferation of organ harvesting in Nigeria.
HURIWA concluded by urging the federal government to demonstrate genuine political will in addressing these issues. It emphasized that the protection of human life and dignity is a fundamental obligation of any government and that failing to address the crisis of organ harvesting would amount to complicity. The association called on Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable and demand action against this monstrous trade, stating that no society can claim progress or morality when human lives are commodified for profit.
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