NAPTIP Alerts Interpol, Places Speed Darlington on Watchlist Over Alleged Comments About Minor

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has placed Nigerian musician Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, on an international watchlist following allegations involving a minor. The agency has also alerted Interpol in an effort to apprehend the singer, who has reportedly ignored multiple summonses.

According to NAPTIP, the move follows a controversial Instagram livestream in which Okoye allegedly claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. The agency stated that despite being issued several formal invitations, the singer refused to appear for questioning.

Vincent Adekoye, Chief Press Officer of NAPTIP, confirmed the development, noting that the agency is working in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Interpol. He said the goal is to restrict the singer’s movements and ensure his eventual arrest.

“We have placed all of them on procedural notice so that wherever they see him, they can take action,” 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 made disturbing statements online. We call on any country where he is hiding to place him under surveillance, arrest him, and hand him over to the appropriate authorities.”

Speed Darlington has defied an arrest warrant and dismissed the allegations in a recent TikTok video. “I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said, claiming that NAPTIP was using his name to gain publicity. He demanded ₦2.5 million and round-trip tickets for himself and his assistant if he were to appear before the agency.

SK Blog earlier reported that the incident in question occurred on May 27, Children’s Day, and drew widespread condemnation from women’s rights groups and the Lagos State government. NAPTIP publicly declared Okoye wanted on Friday, citing alleged offences including sexual misconduct, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.

The agency urged members of the public with credible information on his whereabouts to come forward. Okoye, however, described the agency’s actions as manipulative and claimed the livestream was a publicity stunt for his music. “I need controversy to eat,” he said.

NAPTIP had issued an invitation to Okoye on May 28, asking him to appear at its Abuja headquarters by May 30. After he failed to comply, he proposed June 26 instead, which the agency rejected, giving him a final deadline of June 2. He did not respond. The agency emphasized that the issue is of urgent national importance and warned of legal consequences.

NAPTIP stated that Okoye’s comments, if verified, could be in violation of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.