From Victor Osula, Abuja
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has placed controversial Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, on an international watchlist over allegations of sexual involvement with a minor.
The agency disclosed that it has also contacted the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) after the singer reportedly ignored several invitations regarding an online video in which he allegedly confessed to having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
Although Speed Darlington had in a video on his Instagram page, denied the allegation, Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, on Tuesday, said that the agency was working in close coordination with other law-enforcement bodies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Interpol, to track 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.
“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 said.
Adekoye stressed that NAPTIP was committed to ensuring that cases involving sexual exploitation of minors were thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice, “no matter their status”.
