Shockwaves hit the Nigerian entertainment scene on Friday, June 27, 2025, as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) officially declared controversial rapper and social media personality Speed Darlington wanted over alleged involvement in a human trafficking syndicate. The announcement has ignited social media frenzy, with #SpeedDarlingtonWanted trending across platforms.
According to a statement released by NAPTIP Director of Public Enlightenment, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, preliminary investigations link Speed Darlington, real name Darlington Okoye, to an international trafficking network exploiting young Nigerian women. The agency stated that multiple victims, rescued during coordinated raids in Lagos and Abuja earlier this month, named the artist as a key recruiter.
Sources within the agency revealed that the rapper, widely known for his eccentric online videos and viral rants, allegedly used promises of music video features and entertainment gigs abroad to lure victims. NAPTIP disclosed that the arrest warrant was secured after Speed Darlington failed to honor multiple invitations for questioning.
Field officers say the rapper has reportedly fled his last known residence in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The agency is now collaborating with INTERPOL and the Nigeria Immigration Service to track his movements and block possible international escape routes.
Reacting to the development, several human rights groups, including Women Arise and Project Alert, have urged NAPTIP to ensure a thorough investigation and protect whistleblowers involved in exposing the case. Legal experts stress that this may become one of the most high-profile celebrity trafficking cases in recent Nigerian history.
Meanwhile, Speed Darlington’s management team remains silent, with no official statement released as of press time. Fans and critics alike are flooding his social media pages, demanding answers amid growing calls for accountability.
NAPTIP has urged members of the public with credible information on his whereabouts to contact their hotline: 0703 000 0020. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out human trafficking, regardless of the social status or influence of suspects.
