₦50 Million Bounty: NAPTIP Hunts Speed Darlington Over Shocking Allegations

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has placed controversial Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, on its international watch list.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This follows his repeated failure to honour official summons over serious allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.

NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed the development to Punch on Monday. He revealed that the agency is now collaborating with key security agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and Interpol to track down the entertainer.

“We are working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service, Police, DSS, and Interpol. All have been placed on procedural alert to act if he is located,” Adekoye said.

According to him, the agency made multiple efforts to engage Speed Darlington and only proceeded with the current action after giving him “ample opportunity” to respond.

NAPTIP is also reportedly considering placing a ₦50 million bounty on the singer if he continues to evade arrest.

On June 27, NAPTIP officially declared Okoye wanted after he appeared to admit during an Instagram livestream to engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. A public notice posted via the agency’s verified Instagram account read:

“WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact NAPTIP immediately.

In response, Speed Darlington released a defiant video on YouTube, dismissing the allegations as baseless and accusing NAPTIP of seeking “social media clout.”

“I’m not coming. I’ve committed no crime. All I did was speak,” he declared, insisting he should be paid ₦2.5 million as an appearance fee, describing any meeting with NAPTIP as a “performance.”

“₦2.5 million is what I charge. If you want me to come, pay me that and provide round-trip tickets for me and my PA,” he added mockingly.

He went on to question the legitimacy of NAPTIP’s actions, demanding proof and asking, “Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? Or do you just want to use me for clout and claim you’re doing your job?”

Adekoye reiterated to Punch that due process was followed in declaring Darlington wanted, stating:

“We obtained a court order to place him on the watch list. This makes him a person of concern. If he continues to ignore this, he does so at his own risk. Once someone is declared wanted, they become a target, even internationally.”

An unnamed official also urged Darlington to cooperate with the investigation:

“If he’s innocent, let him come forward. If his hands are clean, why is he running? He should know that even where he’s hiding, such crimes are taken seriously.”

Another NAPTIP official disclosed that the agency is currently working with its legal team to finalize the potential ₦50 million bounty.

“We’re considering financial incentives for information. Once the current phase passes, we’ll escalate the situation. Due process has been followed, and we’ve shown restraint despite the gravity of the confession.”