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NAPTIP Declares Speed Darlington Wanted For Tape, Cyberbullying

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has declared Nigerian entertainer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.

NAPTIP made this known via its official Instagram handle @officialnaptip on Friday afternoon.

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It 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. Call: 07030000203, info@naptip.gov.ng.”

The notice comes a month after Okoye failed to honour the agency’s invitation for questioning over his claim of having sex with a 15-year-old girl during a live Instagram video.

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READ ALSO:NAPTIP Arrests Suspect For Alleged Organ Harvesting In A’Ibom

NAPTIP had summoned Okoye over his statement in a now-viral Instagram video.

A letter, signed by the agency’s Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, was addressed to Okoye on May 28, 2025.

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It asked the singer to appear at its Abuja head office at 09:00 a.m. on May 30, 2025.

However, our correspondent who visited the agency’s headquarters at the time confirmed that the singer did not show up at NAPTIP’s Wuse Zone 5 office.

Later, NAPTIP said it received an official response from Okoye, who claimed he could not visit. He insisted on appearing on June 26.

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In his response, Okoye said, “Hello, I will not be able to come in today. This is very sudden and urgent for me. I already have commitments and responsibilities.

READ ALSO:NAPTIP Rescues Seven Girls From Iraq-bound Trafficking Ring In Abuja Hotel

“I suggest you reschedule for next month, June 26. I will be in Abuja that day.”

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It was observed at NAPTIP’s headquarters on June 26, observed that the singer failed to appear.

NAPTIP replied in a letter signed by its Director of Information and Communications Technology & Coordinator, Cybercrime Response Team, Hakeem Lawal.

Lawal wrote, “The Agency wishes to state that the invitation was sent to you on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, giving you sufficient time to prepare and appear as indicated.

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“Moreover, the issue at hand is of urgent National importance and requires an urgent response.”

He continued, “As such, NAPTIP will not be able to work with your schedule as stated in your response.

“However, you are further given till Monday, June 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm, to appear in person at the NAPTIP’s Headquarters: 2028, Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, FCT, Abuja, for the interview.”

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READ ALSO:NAPTIP Arrests Suspect For Alleged Organ Harvesting In A’Ibom

Lawal added, “Please, as stated in our earlier correspondence, your cooperation is very critical in this matter.”

However, The PUNCH observed that Okoye did not appear for questioning that Monday.

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The singer sparked outrage on Children’s Day after a livestream where he claimed he had once slept with a 15-year-old virgin. The clip quickly went viral, triggering widespread outrage from viewers and women’s-rights groups who accused him of confessing to statutory rape.

Within 24 hours, the backlash drew official attention as the Lagos State government reported the matter to NAPTIP, which summoned Okoye for questioning.

The summon letter read, “We write to formally invite you to appear before the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in respect of certain video materials recently circulated online, including but not limited to a particular Instagram video wherein you allegedly made statements admitting to having engaged in sexual acts with an underage girl.”

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It continued, “Additional archived videos, now in circulation, similarly contain admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors. These actions, if substantiated, constitute offences under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”

READ ALSO:NAPTIP Sacks Director, Four Officers For Misconduct

The letter further stated, “⁠You are hereby invited to appear in person for an interview as regards the alleged actions on Friday, May 30, 2025, by 9 a.m. at the NAPTIP Headquarters: 2028 Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, FCT.”

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It added, “Kindly bring along any legal representation or documents you may consider relevant. Please be informed that your cooperation is critical to ensuring a fair and thorough inquiry into the matter.”

NAPTIP warned, “Failure to honour this invitation may result in further legal action.”

Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, also told journalists that the girl mentioned in the video intends to file a formal complaint with the police.

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Facing mounting pressure, Speed Darlington released follow-up posts insisting the “confession” was a publicity stunt to promote new music, saying bluntly, “I need controversy to eat.”

In another post, he labelled the video “a prank.” Yet the about-face did little to calm critics, many of whom argued that joking about child sexual abuse is itself harmful.

An official who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said legal actions appear probable as the singer has missed two appointments. The official also stated that while NAPTIP is still weighing its options, it will not accept Okoye’s proposed June 26 date.

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READ ALSO:NAPTIP Rescues Three Babies Rented For Begging In Abuja

He has responded on two occasions, giving reasons for not coming. We will not work with his timing; we will soon come out with our position on this. No one is free in the eyes of the law,” the official said.

Another official explained, “NAPTIP wrote to him, inviting him. First time, he replied that we should give him till June 26. He wrote to us, ‘Look, I cannot come because of this and that.’ The agency wrote back again to him that this issue is a matter of national importance that requires urgency.”

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The Official continued, “The Agency will not work with your schedule. He replied again that he will insist on sticking to that date. Now, the agency is studying the situation.

When we are making a decision like that, we usually consult with the relevant departments. And taking into consideration the legal implications of our action.

“Don’t forget, even if we say we are taking him to court, they’ve been on strike, they just called it off. So, we are considering our options. But the management is reviewing his response so that we can take a very informed decision.”

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When asked if measures were in place to prevent Okoye from fleeing the country, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye, said the agency is “working with all sister agencies” to ensure his appearance in Abuja.

READ ALSO:NAPTIP Releases Names, Photos Of Convicted Rapists Online (SEE PHOTOS)

NAPTIP is a proactive agency. We have activated the necessary partnership on this. We are collaborating with sister law enforcement agencies.

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“NAPTIP is exploring all elements to ensure that he comes to answer for what he said. We are not taking chances. We are working with all state and non-state actors on this matter,” Adekoye stated.

In an earlier interview, Adekoye said NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Bello, was deeply concerned about Okoye’s claims.

We are concerned. Our DG is seriously concerned. She’s monitoring the situation by the hour. Why? It’s an issue that borders on a minor, the human rights of the minor, and sexual abuse. Anything could have happened to that girl.

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“He was not under duress. It was an admission. Look at what he released yesterday: a video saying that if he had known that this 15-year-old would generate this, he would have gone for a 12-year-old,” he explained.
(PUNCH)

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Vietnam Returnee Stabbed To Death In Abia

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A Vietnam–based Nigerian, Samson Nwaubani, has been killed in a communal clash between the Okwu and Umuajata communities in Umuahia, Abia State.

According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred on Tuesday, August 27, during the annual New Yam festival held in Olokoro, where both communities are located.

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It was gathered that tension had built up before the festival after a confrontation between a resident of Umuajata and another from Okwu degenerated into a fight.

The crisis reportedly escalated when youths from Okwu allegedly stormed the Umuajata community and destroyed some properties.

On the day of the New Yam festival, Samson and some Okwu youths were said to have passed through Umuajata while en route to the celebration grounds.

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READ ALSO:Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

A source privy to the incident told our correspondent on Sunday that they were ambushed by suspected Umuajata youths, thereby resulting in a violent clash.

The source said Samson was stabbed in the process, after which he slumped and died on the spot.

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The New Yam festival holds in phases, and the one held last Tuesday was ongoing when a fight broke out between youths around the Umuajata area. We were later told that Samson and some men from Okwu were heading to the festival when some members of Umuajata attacked them. It was during the fight that he was stabbed in the neck and also macheted in his arm before he bled to death.”

Another source privy to the incident told newsmen  that some elders had intervened earlier when the crisis began.

What happened was as a result of a lingering dispute between the Okwu Olokoro and Umuajata Olokoro communities. When the problem started, the elders reached out to them to settle their differences. They also warned them against engaging in an act that could escalate the matter. Aside from the person who was killed, some people were also injured during the ambush,” the source narrated.

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READ ALSO:Man Stabs Lover To Death In Rivers Over Cheating Allegation

Meanwhile, the Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state has suspended the celebration of a masquerader activity associated with the annual festival, citing rising cases of violence in the area.

According to a statement seen by our correspondent on Sunday, the suspension followed an emergency peace and security meeting convened on Thursday by the Executive Mayor of the Umuahia South Local Government Area, Chinedu Enwereuzo, alongside traditional rulers of the Olokoro Clan, security chiefs, and other stakeholders.

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The statement signed by Enwereuzor partly read, “The Igba Ekpe associated with Iriji (New Yam) festivals is suspended across Umuahia South LGA until further notice. This decision stems from intelligence linking certain festivities to insecurity and criminal activities.

“Ndi Eze, community leaders, and youth groups are directed to enforce full compliance, as communities or groups of persons who violate this directive will face the full force of the law. This suspension will be reviewed once risks are addressed, while cultural identity will continue to be promoted through safe and lawful activities.”

READ ALSO:Gunmen Stab Ogun Bizman To Death

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The council boss urged residents to prioritise peace and unity, especially in the Okwu and Umuajata communities of the Olokoro Clan, where the incident happened.

He added that the safety of lives and property remained the paramount concern of his administration.

When contacted on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia State command, Maureen Chinaka, did not respond to calls made to her telephone line.

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A text message sent to her had yet to be responded to as of the time this report was filed.

 

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12 Saudi-bound Trafficking Victims Rescued In Kano

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Kano Zonal Command, has taken custody of 12 rescued victims of human trafficking, all of whom are female and aged between 15 and 50, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

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The Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdullahi Babale, confirmed the development on Monday in Kano while receiving the victims from the Kano State Hisbah Board, which carried out the rescue operation in collaboration with the agency.

According to Babale, the victims were intercepted on Sunday at Karota Luxurious Park, Hotoro Western Bye-Pass, while en route to Ghana and onward to Saudi Arabia for suspected labour exploitation.

READ ALSO:I’m Not Coming, Speed Darlington Defies NAPTIP Arrest Warrant

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He disclosed that the victims, who hailed from Kano, Katsina, Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara states, were being trafficked under the guise of seeking better job opportunities abroad.

NAN reports that one suspect, identified as Mohammed Saleh, 45, was arrested in connection with the case.

Babale said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other key suspects involved in the trafficking network.

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The rescue and arrest are in line with the directive of the NAPTIP Director-General, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello, to intensify intelligence gathering and crack down on suspected traffickers operating within Nigeria,” Babale stated.

READ ALSO:NAPTIP Declares Speed Darlington Wanted For Tape, Cyberbullying

He commended the Commander-General of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, and the Kano State Government for their continued collaboration in the fight against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable citizens.

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Babale assured the public that the victims would undergo counselling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families, in line with NAPTIP’s victim-centred approach.

He also called on parents to be more vigilant in safeguarding their children from traffickers who exploit economic hardship and lure victims with false promises of greener pastures abroad.

We urge members of the public to report any suspicious movement or activities related to human trafficking in their communities,” he added.

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Residents Loot Foodstuffs For Distribution By Lawmaker

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Some Niger State residents on Sunday looted foodstuffs and other items meant for distribution in a programme organised by the lawmaker representing Suleja/Tafato, Hon. Adamu Tanko, to indigent constituents.

It was gathered that the incident occurred in Suleja Local Government Area of the state when the items were in an open space where people were expected to come and take their share. However, rather than the people orderly coming and collecting the relief items, they resorted to rushing to the venue and looting them.

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The PUNCH learnt on Monday that a stampede occurred as a large crowd of people were seen looting the items and running away with them. Some security personnel were seen pursuing the looters to retrieve the items from them.

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The state police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the incident on Monday, stated that the items were meant for distribution to the public.

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“On 31/8/2025 at about 4pm, during an empowerment programme of Hon. Adamu Tanko representing Suleja/Tafa, which took place at the Suleja Stadium, some members of the crowd attempted to disrupt the exercise, and began to pick some of the food items away.

“Police operatives and other security personnel deployed at the programme controlled the situation, retrieved the items, and normalcy was restored without any hitch,” Abiodun said.

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