The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has apprehended a notorious human trafficking kingpin, Uadiale Christiana Jacob, also known as Christy Evan Osagie or Christy Gold.
Jacob, who had been on the run for five years, was arrested on December 31, 2024, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon her return from Dubai.
Jacob, a prominent figure in an international human trafficking network, was convicted in absentia in March 2024 for trafficking Nigerian girls to the United Arab Emirates for sexual exploitation.
Her arrest was made possible through intelligence shared by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), which had been monitoring her movements after placing her on a watchlist in February 2023.
NAPTIP revealed that Jacob, operating under the alias Christy Gold, had been orchestrating a syndicate that targeted underage Nigerian girls for recruitment and trafficking to Dubai.
She was first arrested in October 2020 in Benin City, Edo State, and subsequently charged at the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State.
However, she violated her bail conditions and fled to Dubai, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest in November 2021.
Despite being on the run, NAPTIP continued to pursue Jacob, working closely with local and international agencies, including INTERPOL, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and law enforcement authorities in the UAE.
These collaborative efforts culminated in her conviction in absentia last year. Her sentencing, however, was deferred until her eventual capture.
Jacob’s return to Nigeria was intercepted by vigilant officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service at the Abuja airport, marking the end of her five-year evasion of justice.
Speaking on the development, NAPTIP Director General Binta Adamu Bello commended the Nigeria Immigration Service for its critical role in apprehending Jacob.
She emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, citing this case as a testament to its effectiveness.
“This arrest sends a clear message to human traffickers: they can run, but they cannot hide forever,” Bello said.
“We are more determined than ever to dismantle these networks and ensure the protection of Nigerians from exploitation and violence.”
She also lauded other intelligence agencies for their contributions and assured the public that Jacob would face sentencing in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, NAPTIP continues its search for Jacob’s accomplices, including Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John, all of whom are reportedly involved in recruiting victims.
The agency has intensified its efforts to apprehend these individuals and bring them to justice.
The arrest marks a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. Bello reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to eradicating trafficking and exploitation in 2025.
“We promise human traffickers a hellish year as we intensify our efforts to protect vulnerable Nigerians,” she declared.
Jacob’s case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting perpetrators of human trafficking. For NAPTIP, it is a call to action for a stronger, united front against the scourge of exploitation.