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Nigerian Diplomats, Politicians Involved in Organ Sales- French Police
Reports by international bodies made available to Nigeria’s security agencies now suggest that top Nigerian politicians and diplomats have been major players in the illicit businesses of human trafficking and organ sales.
Going by the Independent findings, the businesses involve Nigerian victims and others from the West African sub-region.
The reports – mainly from Italian, French, and International Police (Interpol) – detail how diplomatic channels are used to integrate illegal immigrants into countries like Italy, France, and Spain.
Independent investigations revealed a highly cohesive network where politically exposed persons (PEPs) are involved in ambassadorial/diplomatic appointments solely with a view to promoting the criminal cross-border trade.
Informers have also disclosed that the uncanny practice involving human organ trafficking – with emphasis on warehousing needed human parts – may have berthed in Nigeria.
The intelligence, in addition to the gorier details concerning the sale of human organs, fingered well-connected politicians and diplomats.
As gathered, the operation begins with ambassadorial appointments/lobbying.
This, according to presidency sources, explains President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of ambassadorial nominees.
There had been misgivings over the ages of some Nigerian ambassadors, with some being over 80 years old.
In the Senate, too, lawmakers have decided in favour of career diplomats ahead of politically exposed persons.
“The effort is meant to stem these clandestine and illegal cross-border operations,” a presidency source explained.
An Italian secret police source from Rome hinted that reports detailing Nigerians’ involvement in this criminal enterprise have been made available to Nigeria’s security agencies and government in several instances.
“We have made our findings open to them after much interrogation of some Nigerian suspects in the operations upon request from your country, as I am aware of, and there was also a joint security report by my country, Spain, and France at some point, too,” the foreign source said.
The source said the matter is difficult to handle because it involved highly powerful PEPs not only in Nigeria but also in the countries of destination of these trades.
“Powerful people are involved on all sides and, honestly speaking, the trade sustains some sectors of the economies in these countries,” the source added.
Currently, there is a global outrage after the death of twenty-six Italy bound Nigerian women, believed to be illegal immigrants on the high seas, recently.
The matter almost sparked a diplomatic row after Italy buried the women without duly notifying Nigeria and properly identifying the corpses.
Even more, the United Nations reacted recently to reports and horrifying footages from Libya of slave trading of blacks by Arabs believed to be Libyans.
Intelligence reports suggest that most of these victims are targets of organ theft or sex trade.
Some of the victims are sold outright as slaves to out of the way labour camps.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, called on all stakeholders in the global community to act fast on the matter, describing the trend as “horrifying” and “a heinous crime against humanity”.
But the bigger worries stem from the more sinister harvesting and trafficking of human organs across borders.
Only recently, too, Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, warned Nigerians who were in the habit of travelling abroad for health tourism to be careful of organ harvesters.
What the minister, however, failed to explain was that the operation was highly organised and involved the casing/profiling of would-be victims right from the Nigerian shores.
As learnt, personal and health details filed at mission houses were somehow obtained and sent ahead to their accomplices in foreign countries.
“Some organs are stolen right in the hospitals where the victims are being treated while they are under sedation,” explained a medical doctor based in Abuja.
According to the physician, one of these victims who returned from one of the big Asian countries reported to his hospital a few days later after arrival, complaining of health complications.
Upon examination, it was discovered that one of his kidneys was missing.
There are fears, too, that the menace may have started proliferating in the country.
As learnt, a French police report indicting Nigerian diplomats and politicians show that the syndicates may have devised new ways of luring unsuspecting victims to countries where their organs are harvested.
“It is a very lucrative trade that involves not only kidneys,” explained an intelligence officer in the country who was privy to the report.
According to him, a single human lung sells for as much as $10,000 to $20,000.
Human organs remain viable for between four and eight hours, depending on the conditions in which they are kept.
But with technological breakthrough designed to ‘deceive’ the organs into believing it is still encased in a human body, organs like kidney, lungs, heart, reportedly can now be warehoused for more than forty-eight hours.
“What this simply means is that you can have organ warehouse in countries with poor regulations and supervision,” explained the Abuja based physician.
The European Union (EU) figures further buttresses that Nigerians are the biggest traffickers in persons and the biggest victims of the trade.
There are suggestions, too, that not a few Nigerians are victims of organ-harvesting.
For instance, Nigerians accounted for an estimated 8,700 out of 283,532 irregular migrants entering the EU borders, many of whom risked their lives crossing the Mediterranean in 2014.
In the first half of 2015, Nigerians ranked 9th of all persons granted international protection in EUs 28-member states.
EU further states that Nigerian nationals are the most numerous among non-European victims of trafficking in humans, and they are also the most numerous traffickers.
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent’s leading instrumental infrastructure solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of its Board of Directors. She succeeds Mr. Emeka Emuwa who has completed 12 years of meritorious service to the Corporation.
Mrs. Samuel-Ogbu brings a wealth of experience spread over three decades leading and transforming the banking sector in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Until recently, she led Citi’s institutional businesses in Nigeria and Ghana, with oversight across Banking, Markets and Services.
During this period, she steered the franchise through significant macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds, strengthening its strategic momentum and resilience.
Her international career within Citibank included senior leadership roles across over 50 countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, during which time she worked in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Mrs. Samuel-Ogbu has extensive boardroom experience including Citibank Nigeria where she was a Non-Executive Director for 6 years and Chair of the Risk Committee prior to becoming the Managing Director.
She also served on the board of CHAPS Clearing UK, the high value payment system now operated by the Bank of England and a UK-based charity, Opportunity International.
Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the advancement of Africa make her a valuable asset to AFC at a time when the Corporation is more committed than ever to accelerating Africa’s transformation through bold investments, innovative financing models and catalytic partnerships.
AFC recently delivered a record-breaking FY2024 financial performance, with total revenue increasing by 22.8% to US$1.1 billion, surpassing the US$1billion milestone for the first time.
This strong performance was driven by several transformational projects including acting as the Lead Project Developer for the Lobito Corridor, a transformative multi-country transport network connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), financing of the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC — one of the world’s highest-grade, low-carbon underground copper mines and financing support for the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa.
Speaking on the appointment, Samaila Zubairu, President& CEO of AFC, said: ” We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of the Board.
Her wealth of experience, visionary leadership and deep understanding of Africa’s financial landscape will be invaluable as we navigate our next phase of growth- expanding our impact, mobilising urgently needed capital and delivering transformative projects that enable inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the continent.”
Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at AFC, an institution that serves as a trusted bridge between international capital and Africa’s dynamic growth opportunities.
I look forward to working closely with the board, management, and all stakeholders to advance the Corporation’s mission and strengthen its role as the leading provider of strategic, investment-driven solutions that unlock Africa’s full economic potential.”
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that local airports operating without valid permits will face sanctions beginning January 1, 2026.
Godwin Balang, director of aerodrome and airspace standards at the NCAA, made the announcement on Monday during the Airstrip Owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme held in Lagos.
“This is not a threat but a collective regulatory commitment,” Balang said. “Evolving aviation dynamics require us to update our regulatory strategies to achieve more impactful results.”
Balang revealed that out of the 92 airstrips in the NCAA database — which includes operational, non-operational, and those under construction or rehabilitation — only a few currently hold valid operational permits.
He noted that 68 of the airstrips are federal facilities managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while 24 are owned by private individuals or organisations.
“This division highlights the necessity for stronger collaboration between the NCAA and the ministry to clearly define regulatory and operational roles,” he added.
Citing section 71(3)&(4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, Balang stressed the NCAA’s legal mandate to certify aerodrome operations and set minimum safety standards.
“We must address emerging threats while maximizing the use of airstrips to bolster Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” he said.
Chris Najomo, director-general of the NCAA, said the stakeholder engagement was organised to enhance communication and ensure compliance with the law.
“Our goal is to clarify construction, operational, and safety requirements, identify challenges, explore development partnerships, and promote adherence to global best practices,” Najomo stated.
He disclosed that the NCAA is developing new, customized regulations for airstrips. “While ICAO Annex 14 standards are international benchmarks, they are sometimes too stringent for smaller airstrips.
“Our tailored regulatory framework will support general aviation growth without compromising safety,” Najomo said.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the NCAA’s ease-of-doing-business principles and supports the minister’s five-point agenda to advance the sector.
United States government has identified corruption as the primary obstacle to trade and investment in Nigeria, as outlined in the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.
The report, issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, highlights corruption, lack of transparency in tender processes, and delays in approving import permits as significant challenges faced by U.S. companies operating in Nigeria.
U.S. firms reportedly encounter inappropriate demands for “facilitative” payments, while efforts to combat corruption are hindered by inter-ministerial conflicts and partisan politics.
The report also raises concerns about the Nigerian justice system’s ability to effectively handle corruption-related cases.
Another major issue is Nigeria’s slow approval of import permits for American agricultural products, which has been a longstanding trade barrier.
Since 2019, the U.S. has sought to negotiate permits for various food and agricultural exports, but progress has been limited.
Additionally, inconsistencies in Nigeria’s implementation of technical regulations and sanitary measures create confusion and hinder compliance.
The report criticizes Nigeria’s high combined duties and fees on numerous tariff lines, exceeding ECOWAS limits on some items.
These systemic issues, combined with challenges in customs administration, contribute to the difficulties of doing business in Nigeria.
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