The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intensified its efforts to locate controversial entertainer Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, by placing him on an international watchlist and notifying Interpol of his wanted status.
The action by NAPTIP comes in the wake of repeated failures by Okoye to respond to legal summons regarding a disturbing viral video in which he boasted about engaging in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl.
Despite being publicly declared wanted on June 27 for rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, Speed Darlington has exhibited a defiant attitude, maintaining that he has not committed any crime.
His insistence has stoked anger among advocates against child exploitation.
NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye confirmed that the agency is collaborating with several law enforcement bodies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Interpol, to track down and apprehend Okoye.
“We have followed the legal process and obtained a court order that mandates his watchlist status,” Adekoye stated firmly.
As authorities ramp up their pursuit, reports indicate that a bounty of N50 million may soon be offered for information leading directly to Okoye’s arrest.
“We’re finalizing details with our legal department. Once his wanted status transitions to a more mature stage, we’ll proceed with the announcement,” a reliable source within NAPTIP disclosed.
The agency also made an urgent appeal on its official Instagram page, encouraging anyone with credible information about Okoye’s whereabouts to call a designated number or email them at info@naptip.gov.ng.
Read also:
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- NAPTIP, DIA bust transnational human trafficking syndicate, rescue 20 Foreign Victims
In a bid to downplay the gravity of the situation, Speed Darlington has taken to social media to mock NAPTIP, branding the case as nothing more than a publicity stunt.
In a video he posted, he brazenly claimed: “There is no crime. All I did was speak,” while demanding a fee of N2.5 million along with an airfare for his “appearance fee” if he is to honour the summons.
NAPTIP has reiterated that Speed Darlington was afforded numerous opportunities to respond to their summons, with invitations sent on on May 30, June 2, and even accommodating a proposed date of June 26, all of which he disregarded.
However, Adekoye advised the entertainer, stating that “once a person is declared wanted, they become a target on a global scale. Wherever he may be hiding, he should turn himself in to the authorities.”
