•••Says Nigeria Needs More Kidney Donors
Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A consultant plastic surgeon, Dr Torngee Malu, has called for greater regulation and public understanding of kidney transplantation in Nigeria.
He argued that legitimate kidney donors and doctors involved in transplant procedures should be recognised rather than victimised.
Malu made the remarks on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday while discussing the recent arrest of two doctors and other suspects over allegations of illegal organ harvesting in Nasarawa State.
He said kidney transplantation was a major medical breakthrough that had evolved globally, with countries including the United States and United Kingdom eventually introducing regulatory frameworks after concerns emerged around kidney donation and sales. “They didn’t criminalise the doctors, they didn’t criminalise the people who were involved. They just set standards,” Malu said.
The surgeon said Nigeria’s growing capacity to perform kidney transplants should be accompanied by stronger government coordination and regulation.
He noted that Nigerian doctors who trained abroad were increasingly performing procedures that previously forced patients to travel to countries such as India and the United States for treatment.
Malu said the demand for kidney transplants was driven by the large number of Nigerians suffering from kidney failure. “So on average as we are sitting here 50 people die in Nigeria every day from kidney failure,” he said
He added that more qualified professionals and kidney donors were needed to help address the demand.
Addressing the case that led to the arrest of two doctors, Malu disputed the suggestion that the young donors involved had been made to undergo procedures without their consent.
He said the individuals who were adults, had reportedly given consent and, according to information he had heard from the doctors, signed affidavits confirming their willingness to donate.
“Now fourthly, did they do this procedure in a standard hospital? Yes. It was carried out in a standard hospital by qualified medical doctors, surgeons and a medical team,” he added.
He also explained that kidney transplantation is a highly technical process involving extensive medical investigations of both donors and recipients.
According to Malu, doctors must establish that a potential donor is healthy and that the kidney is medically suitable for the intended recipient before surgery can proceed, a process that can take weeks.
“The full story is that these guys knew what they were doing. They were well informed. They signed court affidavits. It was carried out at a proper hospital,”
He stressed that kidney donation should not automatically be equated with kidney trafficking.
Malu further criticised what he described as “social media mob action” against medical practitioners, arguing that allegations involving doctors should first be properly investigated.
“I think that these people should be celebrated and not victimised. Both the people who had the heart to donate the kidney and those who carried out the procedure should be celebrated,” he said.
He said Nigeria already had regulatory mechanisms for medical practitioners and that complaints about doctors should be properly referred to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, which has disciplinary powers over medical professionals.
He also advocated the need for stronger implementation of existing organ donation regulations and guidelines.
Police operatives had on August 19 arrested four suspects during a sting operation at Auta Balifi in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Those paraded included Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
According to the police, Ode allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
The Force alleged that a victim was taken to Wellington Hospital in April 2026, where his kidney was allegedly removed after he received $1,250, while another alleged case dated back to 2022.
The police said investigations were continuing to identify and arrest other persons allegedly connected to the suspected organ-harvesting network.
However, the Doctor who headed the team, Dr Oyime said that the standard procedure was followed in the kidney transplant which he said was successful.
Malu, however, maintained that Nigeria should focus on distinguishing genuine kidney transplantation from illegal organ trafficking while creating a coordinated system that protects donors, recipients and medical professionals. “We should encourage it and regulate it,” he said.
He stressed that the kidney in contention in being used by someone while the donor is also safe.
