By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Adeola Omotoso, 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 shared that her journey began under the guise of a job offer. “I met someone who introduced the idea of travelling to Mali,” she recalled.
“She said she knew someone who owns a pharmacy and asked if I could travel there to help run the business.” Believing it was a legitimate opportunity, Adeola accepted the offer but chose not to inform her family.
She embarked on a four-day journey by road, passing through countries like Cotonou, Togo, and Ghana before finally arriving in Bamako, Mali’s capital.
Upon arrival, she contacted the person she had been referred to. However, instead of a job, she was met with a horrific revelation.
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“When I got to Bamako, I called the contact I was given. At her house, she told me she is my madam and that she bought me from my sister. She said I would have to work to pay her 1.5 million CFA francs,” Adeola recounted.
Devastated and frightened, Adeola refused to comply. “I told her I couldn’t do it and would rather die. She threatened me and seized my phone and travel documents,” she said.
Stripped of her freedom and support system, she was taken to a brothel.“At the brothel, I knew I wouldn’t survive,” she continued. “I pleaded with her to let me do other jobs instead of prostitution, but she insisted. She said I must work as a prostitute to repay her.”
Despite the dire situation, a glimmer of hope emerged when Adeola confided in a compassionate man who helped her escape. He found her a job as a food vendor in another area.
“While working there, I met other Nigerians and heard horrifying stories. Some died because of the harsh conditions. I just wanted to save up enough money to return home. I couldn’t even call my mum or my kids. I was too ashamed,” she said.
Her ordeal lasted four long years, during which she battled isolation, fear, and despair. “I had nothing to show for all the suffering. I even told my roommate not to post me on social media if I died,” she revealed.
Fortunately, Adeola was recently rescued and reunited with her family. Her emotional return was marked by the presence of her mother, Jumoke George, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and actor Adeniyi Johnson.
Reflecting on her escape and recovery, Adeola expressed gratitude for divine intervention. “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.”
