Adeola Omotoso, daughter of Nollywood actress Jumoke George, shares her harrowing experience of being trafficked and sold into prostitution in Mali for 1.5 million CFA francs, detailing her escape and eventual reunion with her mother
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]deola Omotoso, the daughter of veteran Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has shared a harrowing account of how she was trafficked and sold into prostitution in Mali.
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Her revelation comes after PUNCH Online previously reported her reunion with her mother following her discovery in the West African nation.
In a recent interview, Adeola disclosed that her ordeal began after she encountered an individual who offered to facilitate her travel to Mali for a supposed job opportunity.
“I met someone who introduced travelling to Mali to me. She said she knows someone who owns a pharmacy and asked if I could travel there to handle the business,” Adeola recounted.
Unbeknownst to her family, Adeola embarked on a four-day journey by road, passing through Cotonou, Togo, Ghana, and other countries. Upon her arrival in Bamako, Mali’s capital, she was confronted with a grim reality.
“When I got to Bamako in Mali, I called the contact I was given. When I got to the person’s house, she said she is my madam and that she bought me from my sister.
She said I’ll work to pay her 1.5 million CFA francs,” Adeola revealed, detailing the shock of discovering she had been “bought” and was expected to repay the equivalent of roughly N3.75 million (at current unofficial exchange rates of 1 CFA franc to 2.5 Naira).
“I was very confused and tried to confirm if I was at the right address. She said I was there for prostitution,” Adeola further explained.
When I got to Bamako in Mali, I called the contact I was given. When I got to the person’s house, she said she is my madam and that she bought me from my sister. She said I’ll work to pay her 1.5 million CFA francs.
Her refusal to comply with the demands was met with threats. “I told her I can’t do it and would rather die. She threatened me, and I told her she’s free to do whatever she wants.”
As a consequence of her defiance, Adeola’s phone and travel documents were confiscated, leaving her stranded.
She was subsequently taken to a brothel but managed to escape with the help of a sympathetic man who assisted her in securing a job as a food vendor in another location.
“I told her I can’t work as a prostitute, but I can do other jobs to pay 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 in finding a job with a food seller in another location.”
While working as a food seller, Adeola witnessed tragic fates of other Nigerians involved in prostitution, reinforcing her resolve to return home.
“While working as a food seller there, I heard stories and saw Nigerians who died because of prostitution. I wanted to raise some money so I could come back home, and I didn’t want to return home empty,” she said.
Overwhelmed by shame and suffering, she confessed to feeling unable to contact her family for four years.
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“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,” she expressed, highlighting her deep gratitude for her eventual rescue and reunion with her mother.
Source: Read more at theheute.com.ng
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
