By our Reporter
A notorious human trafficker convicted in absent by a Federal High Court in Delta State has been arrested by officers of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja.
The suspect identified as Uadiale Christiana Jacob, with aliases Christy Evan Osagie and Christy Gold, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on December 31.
She was said to have flown into the country from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UEA) with the hope of celebrating the New Year with loved ones but was immediately identified by NIS operatives during routine checks and apprehended.
Christy Gold, according to NAPTIP, had been on the wanted list for over five years for offences of human trafficking and was charged to court in 2020, granted bail and then jumped the bail necessitated her trail in absentia.
A statement on Thursday by the agency’s press officer, Vincent Adekoya, revealed that the woman was apprehended on December 31 by Immigration and handed over to NAPTIP.
Adekoye said the suspect, known as a socialite and arrowhead of an international human trafficking network that operates across the Middle East with operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Dubai, was a senior member of the syndicate that recruited, trafficked and sexually exploited young girls in Dubai.
He said: “Christy Gold, as she is popularly called by the gang members, 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.
“Her suspected other accomplices, one 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.
“On the 18th March 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 Evan Osagie aka Christy Gold of 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State.
“Uadiale Christiana Jacob popularly known as Christy Gold is a senior member of an organized 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, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was arrested by NAPTIP in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on the 13th of October 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of Nigerian girls to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for forced prostitution.
“She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on the 25th of November 2020, where she was granted bail.
While on Court bail, Christiana Uadiale 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 the 3rd of November 2021 for her arrest.
“To get Christiana Uadiale Jacob to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of the Honourable 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 our diligent prosecution of the case, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Honourable 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 Officers of Nigeria Immigration Service acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated 22nd February 2023, nabbed her on arrival to Nigeria,” he stated.
Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, lauded the efforts of the NIS for apprehending the fleeing human trafficking convict saying that it was a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.
She said: “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. NAPTI also appreciates the efforts of other members of the Intelligence Community who are working behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows.
“The convict that has been arrested and convicted will surely be taken to the Court to face the sentence by the Law.
“This is a clear message to other members of this 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.”
