You may be entitled to Income-based Job Seekers Allowance if you are registered with the JS and actively seeking work.
The bit about it 'not being your fault about not being able to work abroad' is irrelevant, and even if you had worked it wouldn't have changed the JSA position here in the Uk on your return.
What do you mean that 'you continued to pay your NI whilst abroad'? - do you mean voluntary employee's contributions? These credit you for various benefits but not for contribution-based JSA, as far as I know know. You would also have had to fund the Class 4 contributions.