Adeola Omotoso, daughter of veteran actress Jumoke George, has opened up about her harrowing experience in Mali.
Last week, in an interview with fellow actress Biola Bayo, George revealed that Adeola, 41, had been missing for four years.
On Monday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), confirmed that Adeola had been found and returned to Nigeria.
Dabiri disclosed that the actress’ daughter was trafficked to Mali under the guise of seeking better job opportunities.
Recounting her ordeal in an interview with Biola Bayo, Adeola explained that her journey began when she met someone who offered to help her travel to Mali for work.
She said that when she arrived in the country’s capital, Bamako, she was told she had been “bought” and would have to work as a prostitute to repay 1.5 million CFA francs.
“I met someone who suggested I travel to Mali. She said she knew someone who owned a pharmacy and asked if I could manage the business,” she said.
“I agreed but didn’t inform anyone at home. We traveled by road for four days through Cotonou, Togo, Ghana, and other countries.
“When I got to Bamako, I called the contact I was given. When I arrived at the person’s house, she said she was my madam and that she bought me from my sister. She said I would work as a prostitute to repay 1.5 million CFA francs.
“I was very confused and tried to confirm if I was at the right address. She insisted that I was there for prostitution. I told her I couldn’t do it and would rather die. She threatened me, and I told her she was free to do whatever she wanted.”
Adeola said that for refusing to comply, she was stripped of her phone and travel documents, leaving her stranded.
She was later taken to a brothel but managed to escape after meeting a sympathetic man who helped her get a job with a food vendor.
“We eventually arrived at the place where we would stay. When we got there, I knew I wouldn’t survive. I told her I couldn’t work as a prostitute but could do other jobs to repay 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 find a job with a food vendor in another location.
“While working there, I heard stories and saw Nigerians who had died because of prostitution.
“I wanted to save some money to return home and didn’t want to come back empty-handed. I thought about calling my mum and kids, but I couldn’t because I felt ashamed.
“I had been away from home for four years and had nothing to show for it. I was suffering and didn’t know what to do. I even told my roommate not to post my picture on social media if I died.
“I don’t know how good my mum is before God that made Him save me from all the evil that could have happened to me in Mali.”
