President Bola Tinubu has praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerians accused of participating in international sextortion crimes targeting minors.
The commendation followed a letter from FBI Director Kash Patel to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, acknowledging the Commission’s contribution to Operation Artemis, a joint investigation into criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and online extortion of children.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
The operation resulted in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerian suspects, Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, in August 2026. Both individuals are currently facing federal charges in the United States.
In his letter, Patel credited the EFCC's support and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation for the successful outcome of the investigation.
He stated that the cases would not have achieved the same results without the Commission's assistance.
Reacting to the FBI's recognition, Tinubu described the development as evidence of Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its anti-corruption institutions and deepen cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
The President commended Olukoyede and his team for their professionalism, stressing that Nigeria must not provide a safe haven for individuals who prey on innocent people within or outside the country.
He also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting offenders in accordance with the law.
The recognition comes against the backdrop of Nigeria's removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 and the European Union's list of high-risk financial jurisdictions in January 2026.
According to the President, the developments demonstrate his administration's efforts to improve financial transparency, strengthen institutional capacity and rebuild international confidence in Nigeria's financial system.
Tinubu maintained that the success of the country's anti-corruption campaign should be measured by tangible results rather than public attention, noting that effective institutions and international partnerships were crucial to ensuring accountability and creating a favourable environment for legitimate businesses.
He urged the EFCC and other security agencies to sustain the momentum, assuring them of continued government support in tackling financial crimes, protecting citizens and strengthening Nigeria's relationships with international partners.
