By: Bayero Ade
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has confirmed the arrest of a high-profile human trafficking suspect, Uadiale-Christiana Jacob, popularly known as Christy Gold.
According to NAN, this was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Vincent Adekoye, a press officer with NAPTIP.
According to the statement, Christy Gold, who has been on NAPTIP’s wanted list since 2020, was apprehended by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) upon her return from Dubai for the New Year celebration. She is alleged to have operated a human trafficking ring targeting underage Nigerian girls for sexual exploitation in the Middle East, with her operational base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The suspect’s gang, which includes members identified as Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain “Prophet John” in Lagos, remains at large.
NAPTIP revealed that Christy Gold had previously been arrested in 2020 in Benin and charged before a Federal High Court in Asaba. However, she jumped bail and fled to Dubai.
Binta Adamu-Bello, NAPTIP’s Director-General, commended the NIS and other intelligence agencies for their collaboration in apprehending the suspect.
“This arrest sends a strong message to other members of this international trafficking syndicate who are still evading capture. They may hide for now, but they cannot escape forever,” Adamu-Bello stated.
She added that security and intelligence operations have been intensified globally to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.
Reflecting on the agency’s recent efforts, the NAPTIP boss promised even greater determination in 2025 to combat human trafficking. “It was a tough year for human traffickers in 2024, and 2025 will be even tougher. We are committed to making their operations impossible,” she said.
The arrest of Christy Gold underscores NAPTIP’s ongoing commitment to dismantling trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable individuals.
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