NAPTIP arrests notorious Dubai-based human trafficker

Convicted socialite and arrowhead of an international human trafficking network operating across Middle Eastern countries with an operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Dubai, Uadiale Christiana Jacob alias Christy Gold, has been arrested by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Christy Gold, as she is popularly called by the gang members has been on the wanted list of NAPTIP in the past five years. She was arrested and handed over to NAPTIP by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on duty at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 31, 2024, on arrival from Dubai for the New Year celebration.

Speaking on the arrest via a communique, the Director General, NAPTIP, Binta Bello, lauded the men of the NIS for apprehending the fleeing convicted human trafficker.

She noted that inter-agency collaboration remains critical to winning the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria and across the globe.

“I want to specially thank our sister law enforcement agency, the NIS, for the arrest of the convict. Recalled that a few weeks ago, I visited the Comptroller General of NIS and the outcome of that advocacy visit is this, improved synergy and very efficient collaboration.

“NAPTIP also appreciates the efforts of other members of the intelligence community who are working behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows,” she said.

Bello added: “The convict that has been arrested and convicted will surely be taken to the court to face sentence as a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang 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.

“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.”

Other suspected accomplices of Jacob currently on the run include Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John in Lagos along with others, all field officers, who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of the victims across borders.

It would be recalled that on March 18, 2020, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ikeja Airport Command shared intelligence with NAPTIP Joint Border Task Force/Benin Satellite Office (JBTF/BSO) in respect of one Uadiale Christiana Jacob aka Christy Gold of No 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State.

She is believed to be a senior member of an organised human trafficking syndicate notorious for the recruitment, trafficking and sexually exploiting of underage Nigerian girls in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Following the agency’s investigation into the alleged offense to establish culpability, Jacob was arrested by NAPTIP in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on October 13, 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of under-aged Nigerian girls to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for forced prostitution.

She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on November 25, 2020, where she was granted bail.

While on court bail, Jacob 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 November 3, 2021 for her arrest.

To get Jacob to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of the 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 United Arab Emirates 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, Jacob was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Justice F. A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on March 21, 2024 with sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the court.

Luck however ran out on her on December 31, 2024, as officers of Nigeria Immigration Service acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated February 22, 2023, nabbed her on arrival to Nigeria.