The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has reacted to the controversy involving Nigerian singer Simi following the circulation of old social media posts(X posts) that sparked public concern.
This was made known in a public notice issued today, Tuesday, on its official social media pages, NAPTIP said it is committed to thoroughly investigating credible reports relating to alleged incidents of child sexual abuse or misconduct in daycare settings in Nigeria.
The agency stated that the notice followed recent public discussions and concerns raised online. It called on members of the public who have factual information, evidence, or direct knowledge of any related incidents to come forward confidentially.
NAPTIP urged anyone personally affected by the matters referenced in viral posts or similar experiences to contact the agency through its official channels, including direct messages, email, or its call centre. The agency emphasised that all reports would be treated with seriousness and confidentiality.
Background of the controversy
The agency’s reaction comes after decade-old tweets made by Simi resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter), triggering widespread debate. The posts, written between 2012 and 2015, referenced her experiences while helping at her mother’s daycare.
Some of the tweets described interactions with young children in a manner that many social media users later considered inappropriate. In one post from 2013, Simi jokingly wondered whether breast milk had ever been used to bake a cake. Other posts mentioned a four-year-old child having a “crush” on her and attempting to put a hand inside her shirt. One particular tweet, which referenced a four-year-old boy in explicit slang, drew strong criticism online.
The resurfaced posts triggered a digital backlash, particularly because the singer had recently been vocal in campaigns against rape and sexual violence, including a case involving Mirabel that was later found to be false. While some critics accused her of hypocrisy, others defended her, saying the old tweets were jokes that had been taken out of context.
Simi’s Response
In a detailed statement posted on her X account on Monday, Simi said the tweets were innocent observations from her life at the time. She explained that in 2012 she was 23 years old, living with and assisting her mother at the daycare while trying to build her music career.
According to her, she used social media to share everyday experiences, including humorous moments involving children. She maintained that nothing she posted was rooted in perversion.
She said she was not famous at the time and did not expect that her posts could later be interpreted in different ways. She added that her team had deleted some of the tweets because of how sensitive the issue is for her family, although she personally did not want them removed.
The singer also stressed that her activism against rape and sexual assault is genuine and longstanding, insisting that it is part of her identity and not a public image.
NAPTIP’s Position
Although NAPTIP did not directly mention Simi in its notice, the agency’s statement comes amid the ongoing public debate. It reaffirmed its responsibility to investigate credible allegations relating to child abuse or exploitation.
As conversations continue online, NAPTIP has encouraged the public to provide concrete evidence where necessary, assuring that all reports will be handled professionally and confidentially.