Christy Gold, a notorious figure in an international human trafficking network operating across the Middle East, has been apprehended in Nigeria.
Gold, also known as Uadiale Christiana Jacob and Christy Evan Osagie, has been linked to the recruitment and sexual exploitation of underage Nigerian girls in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai.
Gold, who had evaded justice for over five years, was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 31, 2024.
Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) detained her upon her return from Dubai, acting on a watchlist issued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Criminal Background
Gold was initially arrested in 2020 in Benin City for trafficking Nigerian minors to Dubai for forced prostitution.
Despite being charged and granted bail by the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, she fled to Dubai, violating her bail conditions.
In 2021, a bench warrant was issued for her arrest after she failed to appear in court.
In March 2024, the Federal High Court in Asaba convicted her in absentia for human trafficking.
Efforts to extradite her involved collaboration between NAPTIP, the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the UAE Police.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities believe Gold worked with accomplices, including Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a Lagos-based individual identified as “Prophet John,” among others.
These associates allegedly assisted in recruiting and transporting victims to her network.
While Gold is in custody, her accomplices remain at large.
A Warning to Criminal Networks
Binta Adamu Bello, Director General of NAPTIP, praised the arrest as a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration.
She emphasized that Gold will face sentencing and warned other members of the trafficking network:
“This arrest sends a strong message to human traffickers. They can hide, but not forever.
“We remain committed to dismantling these criminal operations and protecting Nigerians from exploitation and violence.”
Bello also vowed intensified efforts in 2025 to bring all perpetrators of human trafficking to justice.
