By Ghazali Ibrahim 
After four years of uncertainty and anguish, Nollywood actress Jumoke George has finally been reunited with her daughter, Adeola, who was trafficked to Mali.
The emotional homecoming was confirmed by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in a statement shared on X 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,” Dabiri wrote.
“Just received her, with Biola Adebayo who broke the story, and Niyi Johnson. Details later!”
The news has sparked widespread relief and joy, especially among the Nigerian entertainment community and human rights advocates who have followed the heartbreaking story since it gained public attention earlier this year.
Jumoke George first spoke out in an emotional interview, revealing that she had not heard from her daughter for nearly four years.
The veteran actress recounted how her daughter left home under unclear circumstances and completely lost contact with her family.
“I have not seen or heard from my daughter in almost four years,” she said in a widely circulated interview.
“Every day I pray to God for her return. I don’t know where she is, or if she is even alive.”
Her appeal caught the attention of fellow actress Biola Adebayo, who took up the matter and helped bring it to the public eye.
Adebayo’s advocacy, alongside others, ultimately contributed to uncovering Adeola’s whereabouts in Mali, a country known as a trafficking hotspot for vulnerable Nigerian women and girls.
While full details of Adeola’s ordeal are yet to be released, initial reports suggest she was a victim of human trafficking.
Many young Nigerian women have been lured to countries like Mali under false pretenses, only to be trapped in exploitative situations, often involving forced labor or sexual exploitation.
It remains unclear how Adeola ended up in Mali, but her return was made possible through collaborative efforts between Nigerian authorities and concerned individuals.
The reunion between Adeola and her mother is expected to be deeply emotional, marking the end of a harrowing chapter in their lives.
