CITIZENS COMPASS– Adeola, the daughter of a Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has said that she was promised a lucrative job in Mali unfortunately was key down.
She was reunited with her mother after spending many years in Mali
The reunion took place after Adeola was brought back to Nigeria with support from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Present at the emotional reunion were Nollywood actors Biola Adebayo and Adeniyi Johnson, who joined in supporting the mother and daughter as they embraced for the first time in years.
Adeola shared her ordeal during her visit to the NiDCOM office before meeting her mother. She revealed that she was advised to travel to Mali in search of greener pastures but later discovered she had been sold into forced labor. “They told me it was a good opportunity. But when I got to Mali, I found out I had been sold. I was stuck, and life there was like a warzone—just like an American movie,” she said.
She warned Nigerians, especially those seeking better opportunities abroad, to be cautious of anyone offering travel to Mali or Libya. “If anyone comes to you with an offer to go to Mali or Libya, don’t entertain it,” Adeola advised. “What I went through was terrible.”
Before reuniting with her mother, Adeola was given a moment to speak directly to her family. Facing the camera, she pleaded for forgiveness. “To my mother, my children, and everyone I left behind—I’m sorry. I take full responsibility for disappearing all these years.”
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who received Adeola at her office, described the experience as heartbreaking but hopeful. She stated that her office would support Adeola’s reintegration and help her start a small business to rebuild her life, as part of NiDCOM’s rehabilitation efforts.
Afterward, Adeola was taken to meet her mother. The moment was deeply emotional as the two embraced, held each other tightly, and wept—relieved that the painful years of silence and separation were finally over.
Jumoke George had previously opened up in an emotional interview about losing contact with her daughter for years and not knowing her whereabouts. It was later discovered that Adeola had been trafficked to Mali, where she was trapped in harsh conditions. Her return marks not only a reunion but also the beginning of healing for the family and a strong warning about the dangers of trafficking disguised as opportunity.
