By Prosper Mene
Veteran Yoruba actress Jumoke George has been reunited with her 41-year-old daughter, Adeola, who returned to Nigeria after being trafficked to Mali four years ago. The emotional reunion, facilitated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), marks the end of a harrowing chapter for the George family, sparking widespread relief and celebration among fans and well-wishers.
Jumoke George first brought attention to her daughter’s disappearance during a heartfelt interview on the “Talk to B” YouTube podcast, hosted by actress Biola Adebayo. George revealed that Adeola, who had been living with her grandmother in Ibadan, vanished after informing her family she was traveling to Lagos. Despite exhaustive efforts to locate her, George spent four years without contact, adding to the actress’s ongoing struggles with health and financial challenges.
“I try to find her with any money I get,” a tearful George shared on the podcast, highlighting the toll the search had taken. “I have never ruined anyone’s life. I am tired, I can no longer bear it.”
The breakthrough came when Adebayo, moved by George’s plea, contacted Adeola and confirmed she was in Mali. Adebayo alerted the Nigerian Embassy in Mali and worked with NiDCOM, led by Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to secure Adeola’s return. On May 19, 2025, Dabiri-Erewa announced on X that Adeola had been safely repatriated, writing, “Breaking! Adeola, daughter of popular actress Jumoke George, is back home from Mali, where she was trafficked to. Just received her, with Biola Adebayo who broke the story and Niyi Johnson.”
In a video shared by Adebayo, a visibly emotional George reunited with her daughter, tearfully asking, “Adeola, what did I do to you?” Adeola revealed she had been trafficked to Mali and sold to another person upon arrival, with demands to pay N1.5 million to her captors. The emotional exchange captured the pain of their separation and the joy of their reunion.
NiDCOM’s swift action, supported by the Nigerian Embassy in Mali, was praised for coordinating Adeola’s rescue. Dabiri-Erewa also issued a warning against deceptive job offers abroad, stating, “They were all a journey to slavery.”
George, currently undergoing medical treatment in Lagos, expressed gratitude to NiDCOM, Adebayo, and all who supported her family’s cause. Fans have flooded social media with messages of support, celebrating the reunion while calling for increased awareness of human trafficking.
