Speed Darlington Declared Wanted by NAPTIP Amid Viral Video Controversy
Nigerian rapper and online personality, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has been declared wanted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) following serious allegations tied to a viral Instagram Live video that sparked public outrage.
According to NAPTIP’s official statement on Instagram, the controversial entertainer is being sought in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The declaration comes after Speed Darlington allegedly failed to respond to multiple summons for questioning related to a video in which he appeared to make deeply troubling statements about engaging in sexual activity with a minor.
The video, which surfaced on Children’s Day, sent shockwaves across social media, prompting swift reactions from child protection advocates and the Lagos State Government. Within a day of its circulation, state authorities escalated the matter to NAPTIP, initiating a formal investigation.
A May 28th letter from NAPTIP’s Cybercrime Response Team directed the artist to appear for an interview by May 30th. Speed Darlington, however, offered a later date—June 26th—which the agency declined, citing the urgency of the allegations. A final ultimatum was issued for him to report by June 2nd. He failed to comply.
In response to the uproar, Speed Darlington released a public statement denying the accusations. He claimed the video was a satirical stunt designed for clout and to promote his upcoming single Village Girl. “What was meant to be a joke has been blown out of proportion,” he stated, emphasizing that he did not engage in any criminal acts and considers himself a law-abiding citizen.
The controversy has reignited discussions around the responsibilities of digital influencers and the boundaries of content creation in Nigeria’s evolving online space.
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