NPC chairman Aminu Yusuf dies at 66, eight months after assuming office

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Aminu Yusuf, has died at the age of 66, barely eight months after President Bola Tinubu appointed him to lead the commission.

Yusuf, also known as Talban Wushishi, died in Abuja on Friday, August 28, 2026, following a brief illness.

His death was confirmed by the National Population Commission, which described his passing as a significant loss to the commission and the country.

Yusuf was born on April 15, 1960, in Wushishi, Niger State, and was appointed by President Tinubu as chairman of the NPC in late 2025.

He was sworn into office on December 3, 2025, alongside newly appointed Federal Commissioners Dr Joseph Haruna Kigbu and Tonga Betara Bulatafa.

His appointment placed him at the helm of the government agency responsible for generating population and demographic information used in national planning, policy formulation and development programmes.

At the beginning of his tenure, Yusuf pledged to strengthen the NPC and improve its capacity to provide accurate and reliable demographic data for Nigeria’s development.

He subsequently outlined a seven-point agenda focused on institutional reforms, technological advancement and improving the commission’s effectiveness in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

A major area of focus during his short tenure was the modernisation of Nigeria’s civil registration and vital statistics system.

In July 2026, the NPC announced the nationwide rollout of VitalReg, its digital platform for birth and death registration under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system.

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The digital platform became operational nationwide on July 1, 2026, marking a major step in the commission’s efforts to modernise the registration of births and deaths in Nigeria.

The initiative was designed to make civil registration more accessible and efficient while helping government improve the availability of reliable demographic information.

Yusuf remained actively involved in the commission’s activities until shortly before his death.

In January 2026, he led a delegation of senior NPC officials to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as part of an advocacy campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of population issues and the importance of civil registration.

During the engagement, the NPC sought the support of traditional institutions in encouraging Nigerians to register births and deaths and participate in population-related initiatives.

Yusuf also engaged development partners and other stakeholders as part of efforts to advance the commission’s reform agenda.

Before his appointment as NPC chairman, Yusuf had accumulated experience in education, public administration, politics, grassroots mobilisation and community development.

He previously served as chairman of Wushishi Local Government Area in Niger State and was a member-elect of the Niger State House of Assembly.

He also served as a board member of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Between 2019 and 2023, Yusuf served as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Niger State governor.

His political career also included involvement in the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign, where he served in 2022 as Assistant Director of Grassroots Mobilisation for the North Central zone of the Presidential Campaign Council.

Until his appointment to the NPC, he was the National President of the Niger State College of Education Alumni Association, Minna.

He was also involved in skills acquisition and empowerment initiatives targeting women and young people in Niger State.

Yusuf’s death comes at a critical period for the National Population Commission, which continues to play a central role in improving Nigeria’s population records and civil registration system.

Reliable population data is essential for government planning in areas such as healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure, social services and resource allocation.

His relatively short tenure nevertheless saw the commission pursue significant efforts to expand digital civil registration and strengthen its institutional framework.

The NPC said Yusuf would be remembered for his commitment to public service and his efforts to reposition the commission.

His death has also prompted mourning among colleagues, political associates and stakeholders in Niger State and beyond.

The Federal Government is expected to make arrangements for a leadership transition at the commission following his death.

For his family, colleagues and associates, Yusuf’s passing marks the loss of a public servant whose latest national assignment lasted less than a year but was marked by an ambitious push to modernise Nigeria’s population and civil registration systems.

Further details on his burial arrangements are expected to be announced by his family and relevant authorities.

NPC chairman Aminu Yusuf dies at 66, eight months after assuming office

Police Bust Organ Harvesting Syndicate in Nasarawa: Two Doctors, Two Others Arrested

The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects, including two consultant nephrologists, over their alleged involvement in an illegal kidney harvesting syndicate operating in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory. The suspects allegedly exploited vulnerable and unemployed young Nigerians, luring them with cash payments before removing their kidneys in unregulated procedures. Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) arrested the suspects on August 19, 2026, during a sting operation in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, paraded the suspects on Thursday and confirmed that clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the crime were recovered as exhibits.

The police identified the four suspects as Emmanuel Ode, a 23-year-old from Nasarawa State who served as the alleged recruiter and lured victims under false pretences; Dr. Benjamin Oyime, a 48-year-old nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, from Edo State; Dr. Daniel Otukpa, a 53-year-old nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital, from Benue State; and David Idoko, a 25-year-old alleged accomplice. Both doctors are nephrologists — kidney specialists — who were allegedly complicit in the illegal removal of organs at Wellington Hospital in Life Camp, Abuja.

According to police investigations, the syndicate targeted young, financially desperate and less-educated individuals in Nasarawa State and surrounding communities. The alleged recruiter, Emmanuel Ode, reportedly confessed during interrogation to luring victims under false pretences and taking them to Wellington Hospital for the illegal procedures. Two victims have so far been identified. The first, Samuel Ezekiel, aged 22, was allegedly lured by Ode on April 24, 2026, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was harvested. He was paid $1,250, approximately ₦1.7 million, for the procedure. The second victim, David Idoko, aged 25, was allegedly lured by the same agent in 2022 to a hospital where his kidney was harvested, and he was paid ₦7,000,000.

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Investigators uncovered evidence that the suspects forged official documents to facilitate the illegal operations, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers (NIN) , birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits, and consent letters. The police said the suspects exploited the victims’ financial desperation to obtain what was presented as “consent” for the procedures, despite the obvious irregularities.

The police action followed public alerts and a petition from the Vincent Ose Initiative, an organisation associated with social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan. According to VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, the case came to light after a young man approached the activist’s NGO with a medical report indicating his left kidney was missing. The lawyer further alleged that the victim was given about $1,300 after the procedure to “shut up,” that more than 10 young Nigerians may have fallen victim to similar illegal kidney harvesting networks, that organs were allegedly sold to recipients for between ₦50 million and ₦70 million while donors received only a fraction, and that some hospitals allegedly used agents to approach young men in financial difficulty. The lawyer stressed that while organ transplantation is not illegal in Nigeria, the law requires informed consent from an adult person with no financial inducement — requirements allegedly violated in these cases.

The arrests have fuelled viral social media reports alleging widespread kidney sales among young people in Nyanya, Mararaba, Karu and neighbouring communities. However, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, stated that it had neither received nor confirmed any report of such widespread activity. The command urged the public to disregard unverified publications to avoid creating fear and panic, while calling on anyone with credible information to report to the nearest police station.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate. This case highlights the growing threat of illegal organ trafficking in Nigeria, where financially vulnerable young people are being exploited by syndicates involving medical professionals. It also underscores the role of citizen activism in bringing such crimes to public attention and prompting law enforcement action.

Police Bust Organ Harvesting Syndicate in Nasarawa: Two Doctors, Two Others Arrested

Two-year-old rescued as police uncover alleged N15m staged kidnapping plot

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested several suspects over an alleged staged kidnapping involving a two-year-old child in Plateau State and rescued the child after investigators uncovered a ransom scheme allegedly involving people known to the family.

The arrests were made by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) during an intelligence-led investigation into kidnapping and other criminal activities.

In the case involving the child, police identified a 34-year-old suspect, Nansik Wuyep Sule, who was arrested over the reported abduction of two-year-old Rito Jesse Davou.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged kidnapping may have been deliberately staged to create the impression that the child had been abducted by unknown criminals.

Investigators alleged that Sule worked with the child’s biological mother, Catherine Davou, as part of the scheme.

Police said the alleged plan initially involved a N7 million ransom demand, which was later increased to N15 million.

As investigators intensified their efforts to locate the child, they reportedly discovered information indicating that the two-year-old was being kept at Sule’s residence.

Another suspect, Luka Emmanuel Butdam, was also arrested over allegations that he made ransom-related calls to the child’s grandmother.

Police operatives subsequently located the child and rescued him safely.

The rescued child was reportedly given medical attention before being reunited with his biological father.

The investigation is continuing as police seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged staged abduction and determine whether other individuals were involved.

The case highlights the complexities investigators can face in kidnapping investigations, particularly where alleged ransom demands are made by individuals who may have prior knowledge of the victim or family.

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Police investigate separate kidnapping and robbery cases

In a separate investigation, the IRT also arrested Idris Mohammed, popularly known as Yellow, and Mohammed Bello Adams over their alleged involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly targeted a commercial driver, Idris Zakari Baba, after arranging for him to transport Mohammed from Abuja to Zaria.

Investigators alleged that the driver was intercepted by armed men after picking up Mohammed and was taken into the bush, where he was held until a N3 million ransom was reportedly paid.

The victim’s 2012 Toyota Corolla was later traced to Bauchi State and recovered while Mohammed was allegedly attempting to sell the vehicle.

Further investigation allegedly linked the suspects to another kidnapping case involving Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar.

Police said a ransom of approximately N10.5 million was reportedly paid in connection with that incident.

The Force said investigations into the cases remain ongoing, with operatives working to identify other suspects and establish the full extent of the alleged criminal activities.

The latest arrests form part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to disrupt kidnapping networks, investigate ransom-related offences and recover property allegedly taken during criminal operations.

Police have continued to encourage members of the public to provide credible information that could help security agencies prevent kidnappings and identify suspected criminal networks.

The suspects remain under investigation, and allegations against them have not been finally determined by a court. Any prosecution will be subject to the outcome of the investigation and the decision of the relevant prosecuting authorities.

Two-year-old rescued as police uncover alleged N15m staged kidnapping plot