Atiku Raises Alarm Over Youths Selling Kidneys Amid Economic Hardship

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys to survive, describing the development as a disturbing sign of the country’s worsening economic hardship. Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 election, expressed his concerns in a post on X on Thursday. The former Vice President said he had heard disturbing stories of young Nigerians allegedly selling parts of their bodies, particularly their kidneys, in desperate attempts to raise money. He argued that young Nigerians should be focused on building careers, businesses and innovative ideas rather than considering their body organs as a means of survival. Atiku claimed that some young Nigerians were reportedly being offered as little as N1.7m for a kidney. However, PUNCH noted that it could not independently verify the figure or attribute it to a specific report or agency. The former Vice President linked the alleged desperation to the rising cost of living under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He listed food, transportation, rent, school fees, healthcare and electricity among basic necessities that he said had become increasingly expensive for ordinary Nigerians. According to Atiku, the situation had gone beyond what could be described as ordinary economic hardship, arguing that the possibility of young people viewing their organs as a financial emergency reserve should concern the entire country. He also acknowledged that Nigeria has laws prohibiting commercial organ sales and organ trafficking. However, he argued that legislation alone would not address the poverty and desperation that could make vulnerable people targets for criminal networks. Atiku called for economic policies that would provide greater relief for Nigerians, including affordable food, cheaper transportation, accessible healthcare and opportunities for decent employment. His comments come amid recent reports concerning alleged organ trafficking in the country. The Nigeria Police Force recently paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, over an alleged organ-trafficking operation. Police said one of the suspects allegedly admitted to recruiting victims and claimed that a 22-year-old man had been taken to a hospital in Abuja in April, where his kidney was allegedly harvested. Investigators reportedly said the alleged victim’s kidney was sold for $1,250, equivalent to about N1.7m, and that the syndicate targeted financially vulnerable young people in Nasarawa and neighbouring areas. The allegations have added to concerns about the vulnerability of Nigerians facing severe financial difficulties and the potential for criminal networks to exploit their circumstances. Atiku used the development to criticise the Tinubu administration, saying young Nigerians should not be forced into desperate decisions simply to meet basic needs. He called for what he described as economic reforms with a “human face” and urged the government to create an environment where young Nigerians could pursue opportunities rather than struggle merely to survive. The former Vice President ended his statement with a direct political message, saying the government must address the economic pressures confronting citizens rather than simply defending its policies. The Federal Government had yet to officially respond to Atiku’s latest remarks at the time of the report.