Adeola Omotoso, the daughter of veteran Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has opened up about her traumatic experience of being trafficked and forced into prostitution in Mali.
In a recent interview, Adeola recounted how her ordeal began when she was approached with what appeared to be a promising job offer abroad.
“I met someone who introduced travelling to Mali to me,” she said. “She said she knew someone who owns a pharmacy and asked if I could travel there to handle the business.”
Believing the offer, Adeola accepted but chose not to inform her mother, Jumoke George and her family.
“We travelled by road for four days through Cotonou, Togo, Ghana, and other countries,” she recalled.
Upon reaching Bamako, the capital of Mali, Adeola contacted the person she had been directed to, only to discover she had been trafficked.
“When I got to Bamako in Mali, I called the contact I was given. When I got to the person’s house, she said she is my madam and that she bought me from my sister. She said I’ll work to pay her 1.5 million CFA francs,” she narrated.
Overwhelmed by fear, Adeola refused to comply and made it clear she would not engage in prostitution.
“I was very confused and tried to confirm if I was at the right address. She said I was there for prostitution. I told her I can’t do it and would rather die. She threatened me, and I told her she’s free to do whatever she wants.”
Her resistance led to her being stripped of her phone and travel documents, leaving her stranded and helpless.
“When we got there, I knew I wouldn’t be able to survive. I told her I can’t work as a prostitute but could do other jobs to pay her. She took my phone and travel documents,” she added.
Thankfully, she encountered a compassionate man whom she confided in. He helped her escape and secured a job for her as a food vendor in a different area.
“While working there, I heard stories and saw Nigerians who died because of prostitution,” Adeola said. “I wanted to raise some money so I could come back home. I didn’t want to return empty. I thought about calling my mum and kids, but I couldn’t because I felt ashamed.”
“I’ve been away for four years and have nothing to show for it. I was suffering but didn’t know what to do. I even told my roommate not to post me on social media if I died.”
After enduring four years in Mali, Adeola was finally rescued and reunited with her family earlier this week.
Her emotional return saw her embraced by her mother, Jumoke George; the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and actor Adeniyi Johnson.
Reflecting on her journey and narrow escape, Jumoke George’s daughter, Adeola said:
“I don’t know how good my mum is before God that made Him save me from all the evil that was about to befall me in Mali.”
