The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has successfully facilitated the return of Adeola, the 41-year-old daughter of veteran Nollywood actress Jumoke George, who was trafficked and left stranded in Mali for four harrowing years.
The breakthrough came after Jumoke George’s emotional revelations in a now-viral video, where she disclosed her painful ordeal highlighting her struggles with homelessness, mounting debts, deteriorating health, and the mysterious disappearance of her daughter.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, shared the good news via her official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday:
“Breaking! Adeola, daughter of popular actress Jumoke George, who cried out that she had not heard from her daughter in four years, is back home from Mali where she was trafficked to. Just received her, with Biola Adebayo who broke the story and Niyi Johnson. Details later!”
The emotional interview that triggered nationwide concern was shared by fellow actress Abiola Ayomide Adebayo on her show “Talk with B”. In the footage, Jumoke George tearfully recounted how her life had spiraled from being a celebrated Nollywood icon to living in a church for over five years, relying on charitable support for food and shelter.
“Dear Nigerians, please pray for me. I am tired. I have no home, no money, and my child has been missing,” she cried during the interview.
She further revealed that her health has worsened, her nights are sleepless, and she is drowning in debt.
“I don’t sleep. I’m in pain and heavily in debt. I want people to go through my phone records and see the debts I’ve incurred,” she lamented.
Adeola, who had been promised a pharmacy job by someone close to her, was shocked to discover upon arriving in Mali that she had been “sold” to a madam a move she vehemently resisted. She had been ashamed to contact her family after her dreams failed to materialize.
Her return was made possible through the joint intervention of NiDCOM and the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to Mali, Amb. Ugo Chime. Adeola was received at NiDCOM’s Lagos office by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside Abiola Bayo and actor Niyi Johnson.
The Commission reiterated its warning to Nigerians, especially young women, to be wary of fake job offers abroad, particularly in countries like Libya and Mali, where many are trafficked into slavery-like conditions.
Jumoke George’s ordeal, and the rescue of her daughter, underscored the urgent need for better support systems for aging entertainers and stronger awareness campaigns against human trafficking.
