President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its role in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerians accused of involvement in international sextortion crimes targeting minors in the United States.
The commendation followed a letter from the Director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, acknowledging the Commission’s contributions to Operation Artemis, a joint investigation into 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 are currently facing federal charges in the United States.
In the letter, Patel praised the EFCC for its professionalism and cooperation, noting that the successful prosecution of the cases would not have been possible without the Commission’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement collaboration.
Reacting to the FBI’s recognition, President Tinubu, in statement by his Special Adviser (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, described the commendation as further evidence of Nigeria’s growing capacity to combat financial and related crimes, while strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
The President praised the EFCC leadership and personnel for their dedication, stressing that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for criminals who prey on innocent people, either within or outside the country.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies in tracking down offenders and ensuring they face justice in accordance with the law.
Tinubu also linked the FBI’s recognition to broader improvements in Nigeria’s financial crime control framework, citing the country’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 him, the developments demonstrate the government’s determination to strengthen financial integrity, rebuild international confidence and create a safer environment for legitimate businesses and investments.
The President maintained that the success of the anti-corruption campaign should be measured by tangible results rather than publicity, emphasising the importance of strong institutions, effective law enforcement and international partnerships.
He urged the EFCC and other security and law enforcement agencies to sustain the momentum, assuring them of the Federal Government’s continued support in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.
