Convicted High Profile Human Trafficker Based in Dubai Nabbed at Abuja Airport

By: Michael Mike

A convicted Socialite and arrowhead of an International Human Trafficking network operating across the Middle East with an operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Dubai, and has been on the wanted list of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) since the past five years, Uadiale Christiana Jacob aka Christy Evan Osagie aka Christy Gold, has been arrested.

Christy Gold, as she is fondly 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 new year eve on arrival from Dubai for new year celebration in Nigeria.

According to a statement on Friday by the spokesman of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, Christy 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 the suspect, are still on the run.

Adekoye recalled that 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 No 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State.

He noted that 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.

He said 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 issued by the sitting Judge on the 3rd of November 2021 for her arrest.

Adekoye revealed that 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.

He added that even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not relent and as a result of the agency’s 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.

The spokesman said 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 inNigeria.

Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Immigration Service 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. NAPTIP 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, the Director General stated.

Convicted High Profile Human Trafficker Based in Dubai Nabbed at Abuja Airport

Arrest of Suspected Terror Logistics Supplier in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the 1 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YANMA, have apprehended a suspected logistics supplier for terrorist activities in Zamfara State.

The incident unfolded when authorities received intelligence about the movement of the suspect, leading to the establishment of a snap checkpoint along the road from Kware to Badarawa in the Shinkafi Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Shamsiyya Ahadu, who was found in possession of a staggering 764 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 6 magazines, and a talisman (referred to locally as ‘laya’), signifying her potential involvement in illicit activities. Alongside Ahadu, a motorcycle rider named Ahmed Husaini was also detained during the operation.

This arrest signified the continual threat posed by criminal networks that compromise the safety and security of communities in Zamfara State.

As investigations proceed and the suspects remain in custody for further action, the message is clear: community safety hinges on continuous efforts to dismantle the parameters of terror financing and logistics that exploit vulnerable populations in Zamfara and beyond.

Arrest of Suspected Terror Logistics Supplier in Zamfara

Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has gotten for drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022.

They were convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling 28 years with hard labour.

The convicts: Soji Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.

The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine, among others.

A press statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi read: operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.

He added that the drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022.

Babafemi said after over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour.

He disclosed that the trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.

Babafemi said they were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 also belonging to Akinade.

The spokesman said the agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel.

The trial judge said: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55 kilogrammes (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD.

“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1,
Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived
from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion.

“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending all the officers and men of the agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.

Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash