Notorious Human Trafficker Christy Gold Arrested After Years on the Run
A notorious human trafficking suspect, Uadiale Christiana Jacob, also known as Christy Evan Osagie and Christy Gold, has been arrested after being on the run for over five years. The arrest was made by officers of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on December 31, 2024.
Christy Gold, a well-known socialite and key figure in an international human trafficking syndicate, had just flown in from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, intending to spend the New Year with her family. During routine checks by the NIS, she was immediately identified and apprehended.
According to NAPTIP, Christy Gold had been on their wanted list for several years due to her involvement in recruiting, trafficking, and sexually exploiting young Nigerian girls, particularly in Dubai. She was initially arrested in 2020, charged with human trafficking, and granted bail. However, she absconded to Dubai, violating the terms of her bail, which led to a bench warrant being issued for her arrest in November 2021.
NAPTIP’s tireless efforts to track her down involved collaboration with various agencies, including INTERPOL, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the United Arab Emirates Police. These efforts culminated in her arrest at the Abuja airport, a major victory in the fight against human trafficking.
Christy Gold had been convicted in absentia by the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, on March 21, 2024. Despite her attempts to evade justice, NAPTIP’s persistent pursuit has ensured that she will face the law.
Vincent Adekoya, NAPTIP’s press officer, confirmed that Christy Gold was part of a larger trafficking ring operating across the Middle East, particularly Dubai. She was known for recruiting young girls from Nigeria and forcing them into prostitution in Dubai.
Following her arrest, Christy Gold was handed over to NAPTIP for further processing. NAPTIP also revealed that some of her alleged accomplices, including Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, and Prophet John, are still at large and under investigation.
The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, praised the NIS for their prompt action and highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in the fight against human trafficking. She reassured the public that the arrest sent a strong message to other members of the trafficking syndicate still at large: “They can hide for a while, but they cannot hide forever.”
She also expressed determination to continue NAPTIP’s work in 2025, promising a more decisive and proactive approach to ensuring the protection of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence.
“This is a clear message to traffickers: 2024 was the end of the road for some, and 2025 will bring more action,” Bello stated.
