‘I Was Abused By Three Relatives’ — Actress Chidera Adiele Reveals

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Nollywood actress and art curator Chidera Adiele has opened up about a painful chapter of her childhood, disclosing that she suffered abuse at the hands of three different relatives while growing up.

Speaking candidly on Biola Adebayo's Talk to B podcast released Friday, the actress reflected on her upbringing in a traditional Igbo household, where gender dynamics shaped how she and her brother were raised. 

While her brother enjoyed greater liberty as the family's designated heir, Chidera said she was kept largely indoors, a protective measure her parents believed would shield her from outside harm.

Ironically, she explained, it was this very confinement that left her vulnerable, as the abuse she endured took place within the walls of their own home, unnoticed by those meant to protect her.

 She emphasized that what happened to her was not a single occurrence but a pattern that repeated over several years, from around age six until she turned thirteen.

The actress also touched on other struggles from her teenage years, revealing she picked up smoking around age thirteen, a habit she maintained until pregnancy at twenty prompted her to stop.

Beyond her own experiences, Chidera addressed the difficult path her brother has walked, describing him as a gifted and intelligent individual whose demeanor shifted noticeably after a period away at school. 

She was candid about her feelings toward her parents, expressing love for them while making clear she would not shield them from responsibility for what occurred under their roof, noting that speaking out became necessary in the absence of accountability.

She went on to detail her family's efforts to support her brother through his difficulties, alleging that attempts at professional treatment were interrupted more than once by their mother, who instead turned to religious intervention, believing his struggles stemmed from spiritual causes. Chidera also referenced a troubling incident in which her brother reportedly became physically aggressive toward their mother.

This is not the first time the actress has spoken publicly about her brother's situation. Back in July, she disclosed that she had taken on the role of his primary caregiver amid his ongoing battle with substance dependency and mental health challenges, seeking treatment on his behalf across multiple institutions, including a psychiatric hospital and a military medical facility in Lagos.

In her most recent comments, Chidera reiterated her worries about protecting her own daughter while continuing to search for a sustainable path forward for her brother, describing the toll the situation has taken on her family both financially and emotionally over the years.

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