In a heartwarming development, Adeola, the daughter of popular Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has been successfully brought back to Nigeria after being trafficked to Mali. The rescue was facilitated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) following a public outcry by her mother.
Reports indicate that Adeola had been missing for four years after leaving her grandmother’s residence in Ibadan, where she was living, with the intention of traveling to Lagos. It was later discovered that she had been trafficked to Mali.
The plight of Adeola came to light recently when Jumoke George, in an emotional interview on actress Biola Adebayo’s “Talk to B” podcast, revealed that she had not heard from her daughter in four years. The distraught mother also shared her struggles with health and financial challenges, stating that her earnings were being used in the search for her missing child.
Following the broadcast, Biola Adebayo reportedly reached out to the Federal Government, prompting the intervention of NIDCOM. The Chairperson of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed Adeola’s return via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
“Breaking! Adeola, daughter of popular actress, Jumoke George, who cried out that she had not heard from her daughter in four years, is back home from Mali where she was trafficked to. Just received her, with Biola Adebayo who broke the story and Niyi Johnson,” Hon. Dabiri-Erewa stated.
Images accompanying the post showed a relieved Adeola being received by Hon. Dabiri-Erewa, Biola Adebayo, and actor Niyi Johnson.
This successful intervention by NIDCOM highlights the crucial role of the commission in assisting Nigerians stranded or trafficked abroad. The collaborative effort, sparked by the courageous public appeal of Jumoke George and the prompt action of NIDCOM, has brought a much-needed resolution to a painful four-year ordeal.
Further details regarding the circumstances of Adeola’s trafficking and her time in Mali are expected to emerge.
