President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its role in a joint international operation that led to the arrest and extradition of two Nigerians accused of sexually exploiting and extorting 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 Nigeria’s contribution to Operation Artemis, an investigation targeting criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and online 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 facing federal charges in the United States.
In his letter, Patel praised the EFCC for its assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation, noting that the successful outcome of the cases would not have been possible without the Commission’s contribution.
Reacting to the FBI’s recognition, Tinubu said the development demonstrated the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s law enforcement institutions and deepening international cooperation to tackle transnational crimes.
The President commended Olukoyede and his team for their professionalism, insisting that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for individuals who prey on innocent people, irrespective of where their victims are located.
‘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.
‘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 his administration remained committed to supporting law enforcement agencies in tackling financial crimes, protecting citizens and strengthening Nigeria’s credibility among international partners.
He also linked the FBI’s commendation to broader developments in Nigeria’s efforts to improve its financial crime prevention and anti-money laundering framework.
Nigeria 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 reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen financial integrity, restore international confidence and create a more secure environment for legitimate businesses and investments.
‘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.
Tinubu urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to sustain the momentum, assuring them of continued government support in combating financial crimes and ensuring that Nigeria does not become a refuge for perpetrators of transnational offences.