‘I was sold for prostitution’ — 41-year-old daughter of actress Jumoke George recounts 4-year ordeal in Mali

Adeola Omotoso, daughter of veteran Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has opened up about her ordeal in Mali.

In an earlier report, the veteran actress had during an interview on Talk to B show, cried out raised alarm over her missing daughter, homelessness and ill health.

Following the actress’ outcry, ‘Talk to B’ show host, Biola Bayo, announced that Adeola had been found in Mali.

In a recent development, the chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed that Adeola, had returned to Nigeria.

According to her, the commission received Adeola from Mali, where she was trafficked to Mali under the guise of seeking greener pastures.

Recounting her ordeal in an interview with Biola, Adeola explained that her journey began when she met someone who offered to help her travel to Mali for work.

She said when she got to the country’s capital, she was told she had been “bought” and would have to work as a prostitute to repay 1.5 million CFA francs. 

She said, “I met someone who introduced traveling to Mali to me. She said she knows someone who owns a pharmacy and asked if I could travel there to handle the business.

“I agreed but didn’t inform anyone at home. We travelled by road for four days through Cotonou, Togo, Ghana, and other countries.

“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.

“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 she’s free to do whatever she wants.”

Adeola said for refusing to comply, she was stripped of her phone and travel documents, leaving her stranded.

She said she was later taken to a brothel but managed to escape after meeting a sympathetic man who helped her secure a job with a food vendor.

We later went to where we would stay. When we got there I knew I wouldn’t be able to survive. I told her I can’t work as a prostitute but I can do other jobs to pay her. She took my phone and travel documents,” she added.

“But I met a man there and explained my ordeal to him. He helped me in finding a job with a food seller in another location.

“While working as a food seller there I heard stories and saw Nigerians who died because of prostitution.

“I wanted to raise some money so I could come back home and I didn’t want to return home empty. I thought about calling my mum and kids but I couldn’t call because I felt ashamed of myself.

“I left home since four years and have nothing to show for it. I was suffering but didn’t know what to do. I even told my roommate to not post me on social media if I die.

“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.”