The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested one Uadiale Christiana Jacob popularly known as Christy Gold, who is the leader of a top human trafficking syndicate with an operational base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP Press Officer, in a statement, on Friday, 3rd of January, 2025, said that Christy Gold, a convicted socialite and arrowhead of an international human trafficking network operating across the Middle Eastern countries with an operational base in Dubai, has been on the wanted list of NAPTIP since the past five years.
He said that Christy Gold was arrested and handed over to NAPTIP by the Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on duty at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on 31st December 2024, on arrival from Dubai for new year celebration.
He said that other suspected accomplices, Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John in Lagos along with others are field officers who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of victims to Christy Gold, are still on the run.
Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, lauded the efforts of NIS officials for apprehending the fleeing human trafficking convict, saying that it was a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.
She also appreciated the efforts of other members of the Intelligence Community who worked behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows.
“This is a clear message to other members of the international criminal gang who are still on the run. They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever. We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus, and our partners around the World are on the lookout for these elements.
“Very soon, the net will catch them. I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024, and we promise them a hell in 2025. We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out and ensure the protection of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence against persons,” she said.
Recalled that on 18th March, 2020, NIS Ikeja Airport Command shared intelligence with NAPTIP Joint Border Task Force/Benin Satellite Office (JBTF/BSO) in respect of one Christy Gold of No 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State, who is a senior member of an organized human trafficking syndicate notorious for the recruitment, trafficking and sexually exploiting of underage Nigerian girls in Dubai.
Following the Agency’s investigation into the alleged offense to establish culpability, Christy Gold was arrested by NAPTIP officials in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on the 13th of October, 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of aged Nigerian girls to Dubai, for forced prostitution.
She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on the 25th November, 2020, where she was granted bail. While on court bail, Christy Gold violated the terms of the bail and absconded to Dubai. After failing severally to appear before the Court, a Bench Warrant was therefore issued by the sitting Judge on the 3rd of November, 2021 for her arrest.
To get her to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, National Central Bureau (NCB), INTERPOL Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the UAE Police, for her arrest and extraction to Nigeria.
Even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not relent and as a result of diligent prosecution of the case, Christy Gold was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Justice F . A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on the 21st of March, 2024 with sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the Honourable Court.
Luck, however, ran out on her on the 31st of December 2024, as NIS Officers acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated 22nd February 2023, nabbed her on arrival to Nigeria.
