Tinubu Hails EFCC as FBI Commends Nigeria Over Arrest, Extradition of Child Sextortion Suspects

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its growing international law enforcement record following a commendation from the Director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, over Nigeria’s role in tackling international sextortion crimes targeting minors.

The FBI Director, in a letter addressed to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, praised the Commission for its critical role in Operation Artemis, a joint investigation aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and extortion of children.

The operation resulted in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerian suspects, Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, in August 2026. Both suspects are facing federal charges in the United States.

Acknowledging the EFCC’s contribution, Patel said the successful outcome of the cases would not have been possible without the Commission’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.

Reacting to the FBI commendation, President Tinubu described the recognition as evidence of Nigeria’s improving capacity to combat financial crimes and strengthen cooperation with international security and law enforcement agencies.

The President praised Olukoyede and his team for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for individuals involved in criminal activities, particularly those targeting vulnerable people across international borders.

“This is the kind of institutional performance we are determined to build across our country. I commend the EFCC Chairman and his team for their professionalism and dedication.

“Nigeria must never become a haven for criminals who exploit innocent people, whether at home or abroad. Our law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have my full support to pursue offenders and bring them to justice in accordance with the law,” Tinubu said.

The commendation comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s recent progress in meeting international standards on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The country was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 and subsequently delisted from the European Union’s high-risk financial jurisdictions list in January 2026.

According to the President, these developments demonstrate his administration’s commitment to strengthening financial integrity, rebuilding international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and creating a safer environment for legitimate businesses and investments.

Tinubu stressed that the success of the anti-corruption campaign should be measured by tangible results rather than public declarations, emphasising the importance of strong institutions, effective investigations and international partnerships.

“Our fight against corruption is not measured by publicity but by results. Stronger institutions, effective law enforcement and international cooperation are essential to building a Nigeria where honest enterprise can thrive, and criminals are held accountable,” he stated.

The President urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to sustain the momentum, assuring them of his administration’s continued backing in the fight against corruption, financial crimes and other forms of criminality.

He added that protecting Nigerians, safeguarding vulnerable victims and strengthening the country’s credibility among international partners must remain central to the operations of law enforcement institutions.

The FBI’s recognition of the EFCC also highlights the growing importance of cross-border intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations in tackling cyber-enabled crimes, particularly sextortion, which increasingly exposes children and other vulnerable individuals to exploitation through digital platforms.