Jumoke George’s Daughter Rescued from Mali After 4-Year Human Trafficking Nightmare
After four years of silence, heartbreak, and unanswered questions, Nigerian actress Jumoke George finally has a reason to rejoice again. Her daughter, Adeola, who had been trafficked to Mali, is back in Nigeria.
The rescue followed a storm of public attention after Jumoke’s emotional interview with fellow actress Biola Adebayo on the Talk To B podcast. In the interview, the veteran Nollywood star opened up about the pain of losing contact with her first child and the toll it had taken on her life.
“I’ve been looking for her for the past four years,” Jumoke said. “Any small amount of money I made from working was spent on searching for her.”
Adeola had been living with her grandmother in Ibadan before her disappearance. One day, she told the family she was heading to Lagos to meet her mother. But she never made it. Days turned into years. Jumoke received one vague call from an unknown number. On the line was Adeola, tearfully asking for forgiveness. She didn’t reveal her location. She only hinted that friends had convinced her to travel abroad in search of greener pastures. That journey, it turned out, led her into the hands of human traffickers.
The actress’s revelation went viral, touching hearts across social media and the entertainment industry. It also caught the attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa. On Monday, Dabiri-Erewa confirmed Adeola’s return from Mali via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Adeola, daughter of popular actress, JumokeGeorge who cried out that she had not heard from her daughter in four years, is back home, from Mali where she was trafficked to,” she wrote. “Just received her, with Biola Adebayo who broke the story and Niyi Johnson.”
Joining Dabiri-Erewa in receiving Adeola were Adebayo and fellow actor Adeniyi Johnson. The reunion, though emotional, remains incomplete. As of press time, there has been no official confirmation that Adeola has reunited with her mother. She has yet to speak publicly about her experience.
The trauma has left deep scars. Jumoke not only faced the emotional burden of a missing child but also battled serious health and financial challenges during the period. In the same interview with Adebayo, she revealed she had been turning down acting jobs due to her condition. She sometimes had to refund payments and borrow money for treatment. She now requires further medical tests estimated at ₦400,000.
“I don’t have a home,” Jumoke had said in the interview. “My child is missing. I’m struggling to even afford treatment.”
Adebayo later confirmed that Jumoke had begun receiving treatment at a public hospital in Lagos.
Adeola’s rescue sheds light on the ongoing crisis of human trafficking in Nigeria. Many young Nigerians, desperate for better opportunities, fall victim to traffickers who promise jobs or education abroad. The reality often turns out to be forced labor, sexual exploitation, or life-threatening conditions.
NiDCOM has recently intensified efforts to combat these issues. Just last month, the commission received 13 other trafficked Nigerians rescued from Ghana and Mali.
Adeola’s return also highlights the power of media, advocacy, and public engagement in driving action. While her story ends with rescue, thousands more remain trapped in foreign countries, with their families left in the dark.
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