Adeola Omotoso, the daughter of renowned actress Jumoke George, has shared her harrowing experience in Mali.
In a conversation with actress Biola Bayo, Jumoke disclosed that Adeola, aged 41, had been missing for four years.
On Monday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), confirmed that Adeola has been located and has returned to Nigeria. Dabiri revealed that Adeola had fallen victim to human trafficking, having been lured to Mali under the pretense of finding better employment opportunities.
During her interview with Biola, Adeola recounted the troubling details of her journey. She said she was approached by someone who promised her work in Mali, but upon her arrival in the capital, she discovered that she had been “bought” and was forced into prostitution to repay a debt of 1.5 million CFA francs.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
