By Toheeb Omotayo
In a world driven by multiple technology platforms, social media is taking the front as a powerful tool to facilitate the search for missing persons.
Through the imminent power of viral sharing, technology platforms can quickly spread information about missing persons, typical of the case of Adeola, the daughter of popular Nollywood actress Jumoke George, who recently got reunited with her mother after four harrowing years of separation.
In the heart of the joy that comes with this reunion lies the power of social media. The situation gained traction following a viral video in which the actress was spotted tearfully recounting her terrible living conditions and the excruciating pain of not knowing her daughter’s whereabouts for four solid years.
The online circulation of this video sparked public interest and drew widespread concern from individuals within and outside Nigeria.
Shortly after all the social media engagement, it was revealed that Adeola had been located in Mali, reportedly trafficked and without travel documents to return home.
With the intervention of concerned individuals, including fellow actress and podcast host Biola Adebayo, the matter drew further attention.
The Nigerian government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), subsequently intervened, facilitating Adeola’s safe repatriation to the country.
Now, let’s examine the role technology particularly social media plays in facilitating the search for missing persons and how it can help combat related crimes such as human trafficking, cyber-stalking, and online abuse.
Technology and the Search for Missing Persons; A Gateway to Easy Tracking
The reunion of Adeola with her mother underscores the growing influence of technology in social justice and humanitarian interventions. In this instance, social media served as the initial platform through which the search gained traction.
A single video, emotionally raw and widely shared, catalyzed public and institutional attention. It was technology driven by collective digital engagement that amplified the issue beyond traditional boundaries in the absence of structured search or rescue mechanisms.
In today’s world, digital platforms now allow real-time sharing of information, imagery, and testimonies, enabling faster dissemination and broader reach.
In cases involving missing persons, such platforms often act as crowd-sourced search engines, helping to gather information, identify patterns, or locate individuals who may have crossed borders.
Although this does not replace the work of official investigative bodies, it significantly increases the chances of visibility and response, particularly when institutional capacities are limited.
One notable aspect of Adeola’s case is the role played by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Their swift intervention in facilitating Adeola’s return highlights the importance of responsive institutions in diaspora affairs.
The involvement of NiDCOM also underscores the necessity of formal structures that can act on the information sourced through informal means like social media.
The alignment of public pressure with institutional mechanisms represents an evolving model of response, where grassroots digital activism can initiate processes that are later formalized through governmental or diplomatic channels.
It Doesn’t End There Social Media Also Acts Double-Edged Sword
While social media has proven useful in amplifying urgent issues such as locating missing persons, it also serves as a tool used by traffickers and cybercriminals for malicious purposes.
Many victims of human trafficking are lured via online platforms that advertise fake job opportunities, educational programs, or travel arrangements. Vulnerable individuals, especially those experiencing economic hardship or family disintegration, are often the primary targets.
Adeola’s situation based on available public information indicates that she may have fallen victim to such tactics, although the specific details of her trafficking remain publicly undisclosed.
Her inability to return home due to lack of travel documentation further illustrates how victims become entrapped in foreign countries, isolated and dependent on external intervention for repatriation.
In 2018, the United States Department of State, in its annual report on trafficking in persons, revealed that “Cuban nationals abroad [were] recruiting victims in Cuba through telephone and Internet with false offers of employment, promises of financial gain, and romantic relationships” (United States. 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report. p. 157).
Various interlinked socio-economic and systemic factors contribute to the proliferation of trafficking and related online abuses.
Economic vulnerability is a major driver. High levels of poverty, youth unemployment, and limited access to education or vocational opportunities make individuals liable to deceit and exploitation.
In addition, digital illiteracy plays a significant role. Many users of social media, particularly younger individuals and those in underserved regions, are not equipped with the tools to identify suspicious online behavior or scams.
Without adequate education on digital safety, they become easy prey. Family breakdown and lack of support systems also contribute to susceptibility.
Individuals who are emotionally or physically estranged from their families may seek opportunities for survival independently, sometimes unknowingly walking into exploitative traps.
Lastly, enforcement challenges remain a critical issue. The absence of stringent digital regulations, limited monitoring of migration routes, and the bureaucratic bottlenecks often encountered in cross-border cases create conditions that allow trafficking and online abuse to thrive.
Possible Way Out
While the current case ended on a positive note, it exposes broader systemic gaps that need to be addressed.
Based on observable trends and facts, it has become imperative for step up game on digital literacy and public awareness campaigns.
These campaigns should focus on recognizing online scams, securing personal data, and avoiding exploitative content or interactions.
Agencies responsible for migration, child protection, and digital safety must be equipped and trained to respond quickly to digital leads and distress calls.
Cross-border cooperation with international agencies is essential for tracking and repatriating trafficked individuals.
Nigeria could benefit from a unified digital platform that allows families to report missing persons and track progress. Such a system would ideally interface with law enforcement, embassies, and the public.
To protect future victims, a multi-pronged approach that incorporates technology, policy, education, and socioeconomic support is essential.
As Adeola’s case has shown, the digital world despite its risks remains one of the most potent tools in mobilizing justice and restoring hope.
