Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over reports that some young Nigerians are selling their kidneys to survive amid the country’s cost-of-living crisis.
The 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate said he had heard disturbing reports of young people selling body organs, particularly kidneys, in desperate attempts to raise money.
He said the situation was a disturbing indication of the severity of the economic challenges confronting Nigerians, arguing that no citizen should be forcesvto consider sacrificing a vital organ because of poverty.
He blamed the rising costs of food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicine and electricity in the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku said Nigeria already has laws prohibiting commercial organ sales and trafficking, but argued that enforcement alone cannot address the poverty and desperation that leave vulnerable people exposed to criminal networks.
He called for urgent measures to ease the burden on households and improve living conditions, stressing that economic policies should prioritise the welfare and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.
The former Vice-President also warned that extreme poverty could expose vulnerable citizens to exploitation by criminal networks involved in illegal organ trafficking.
He urged the government to take stronger action to address economic hardship and restore hope among citizens.
His comments comes amid growing public debate over the rising cost of living, unemployment and declining purchasing power, with many Nigerians struggling to meet basic needs.
-9News Nigeria.
