President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following recognition from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its role in apprehending and extraditing two Nigerians accused of involvement 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 targeting criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and extortion of children.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the operation led to 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 in connection with the alleged offences.
In his letter to Olukoyede, Patel praised the EFCC’s assistance in the investigation and emphasised the importance of cooperation between international law enforcement agencies in tackling crimes involving the exploitation of minors.
“The successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” the FBI Director wrote.
Reacting to the commendation, Tinubu described the recognition as evidence of the progress being made by Nigeria’s law enforcement institutions in combating financial crimes and strengthening international cooperation.
The President praised the EFCC leadership and personnel for their role in the investigation, saying their performance reflected the institutional standards his administration was seeking to establish.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that Nigeria must not provide a safe haven for individuals involved in criminal activities, particularly those targeting vulnerable people within and outside the country.
“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,” the President stated.
The Presidency said the FBI’s recognition came amid what it described as growing international acknowledgement of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its anti-corruption and financial crime prevention systems.
It cited 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 as developments reflecting improvements in the country’s financial integrity framework.
Tinubu maintained that these developments demonstrated his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutions, restoring international confidence and creating a more secure environment for legitimate businesses and investment.
He argued that the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts should be assessed through measurable outcomes, stronger institutions and successful law enforcement cooperation rather than public statements alone.
“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 said.
The President urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to sustain their efforts against financial crimes and transnational criminal networks.
He assured the agencies of his administration’s continued support in protecting Nigerians, pursuing suspected offenders through lawful processes and strengthening cooperation with international partners.
The statement did not provide details of the specific charges against Adekunle and Olawale or indicate when their cases would proceed to trial in the United States.
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