NAPTIP Puts Speed Darlington on International Watchlist over Alleged Confession Involving Minor

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has placed Nigerian singer and internet personality, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, on an international watchlist following allegations of sexual involvement with a minor.

The agency has reportedly informed the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) about the case after Speed Darlington repeatedly ignored official summonses. The move follows outrage sparked by a livestream where the singer allegedly confessed to engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

Confirming the development on Tuesday, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said the agency is now collaborating with several law enforcement bodies — including the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Interpol — to locate and apprehend the entertainer.

“We have placed all of them on procedural notice so that wherever they see him, they can take action, because we have already given him enough opportunities,” Adekoye said.

“We are working to limit his access to people, wherever he may be hiding, because he is alleged to be a dangerous individual. He has openly admitted to raping a 14-year-old girl, and as recently as yesterday, he confessed to raping a 15-year-old.

“We call on any country where he is hiding to place him under surveillance, arrest him, and hand him over to the appropriate authorities. He is alleged to be an extremely dangerous man who must be removed from society,” he added.

The agency had previously declared Speed Darlington wanted last week after he failed to honour invitations tied to the now-viral Instagram livestream. The video, which surfaced on May 27 — Children’s Day — prompted widespread condemnation from the Lagos State Government and several women’s rights organisations.

In a video posted on TikTok on Monday, the singer defiantly rejected the agency’s summons, saying, “I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak.”

NAPTIP said its first invitation was sent on May 28, requesting the singer to report at its Abuja headquarters by May 30. He did not show up, proposing a new date of June 26 instead. The agency rejected the delay and issued a final deadline of June 2, which was also ignored.

Following the official declaration of him as wanted, Speed Darlington fired back, accusing the agency of trying to use his name for cheap publicity.

“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? You want to use me to collect social media clout? Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came,” he said.

The singer further criticised the agency’s invitation, demanding financial compensation for any appearance.

“2.5 million [Naira] is what I charge for my appearance. You want to pay me 2.5 million [Naira] plus? Round trip tickets for me and my PA to come. Because I call that appearance,” he said.

While defending himself, Speed Darlington insisted the livestream did not contain any criminal admission and argued that there was no concrete evidence against him.

“There is no crime. All I did was try to claim it. You have no evidence. You have nothing. So me coming here is a waste of my time,” he said.

NAPTIP continues to call on the public for useful information regarding his whereabouts as efforts to bring him in for questioning intensify.