Dubai-Based Human Trafficking Kingpin Arrested at Abuja Airport, Marking a Significant Win for NAPTIP
In a major breakthrough, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced the arrest of a notorious human trafficking kingpin, Uadiale Christiana, popularly known as Christy Gold. The arrest took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 31, 2024, as Christy arrived from Dubai for the New Year celebrations. Her capture marks the culmination of a five-year manhunt, after being flagged as one of the key figures behind a sprawling human trafficking network operating across Middle Eastern countries, with its base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Christy Gold’s criminal activities were far-reaching. She was a senior member of an international syndicate notorious for trafficking Nigerian girls, many underage, to Dubai for forced prostitution. Her involvement in the heinous crime had led to several Nigerian victims being sexually exploited in the UAE.
NAPTIP’s pursuit of Christy Gold began in 2020 when the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) shared critical intelligence about her operations. On March 18 of that year, the NIS at Ikeja Airport alerted NAPTIP about Uadiale Jacob, her real name, linked to the trafficking of Nigerian girls to Dubai. Following an investigation, Christy was arrested in Benin City on October 13, 2020. Despite being charged for her crimes and granted bail, she violated the terms of her release, absconding to Dubai.
Her efforts to evade justice were unsuccessful. On November 3, 2021, a Bench Warrant was issued for her arrest, and NAPTIP worked tirelessly to secure her return to Nigeria. With the assistance of various agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL Nigeria, and UAE authorities, Christy Gold was eventually apprehended.
In March 2024, she was convicted in absentia by the Federal High Court in Asaba for her role in human trafficking, though her sentence awaited her physical return to court. Her luck ran out when NIS officers, acting on NAPTIP’s request, arrested her upon her arrival in Abuja. At the time of the arrest, several of her accomplices, including Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a man known as Prophet John, were still at large and actively engaged in recruiting victims for trafficking.
Binta Adamu, the Director General of NAPTIP, praised the collaboration between NAPTIP and the Nigeria Immigration Service, which she said played a crucial role in bringing Christy Gold to justice. She emphasized that the successful arrest is a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, highlighting how such criminals can never hide forever.
“This is just the beginning,” Adamu stated. “We are more determined than ever in 2025 to ensure that traffickers are caught and face the consequences of their actions. Our commitment to protecting Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence is stronger than ever.”
The arrest of Christy Gold is a clear message to other members of the trafficking syndicate still on the run: justice will eventually catch up with them. With an expanded network of international partners and a strengthened resolve, NAPTIP vows to continue its relentless pursuit of human traffickers, ensuring a safer future for vulnerable individuals both in Nigeria and abroad.
Leave a Reply