The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for their role in an international operation targeting online sextortion networks accused of exploiting minors.
The commendation was conveyed in a letter signed by FBI Director Kash Patel, who praised the commission’s cooperation in Operation Artemis, a joint international effort aimed at disrupting financially motivated sextortion networks targeting children and teenagers. The EFCC disclosed the commendation in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28.
In the letter, Patel acknowledged the EFCC’s contribution to investigations and its role in facilitating the arrest and extradition of suspects facing federal charges in the United States. He said the commission had designated personnel to support investigations and assist with the transfer of suspects from Nigeria to the US for prosecution.
The FBI director specifically commended the EFCC for apprehending Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudashiru Afeez Olawale, who were indicted in the United States in 2023 over allegations relating to the sexual exploitation and extortion of minors. Both suspects were extradited to the US in August 2026 following investigations and extradition proceedings supported by the commission.
According to the EFCC, the investigations involved separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors in the United States. Authorities linked the alleged activities of the suspects to two teenage victims who died by suicide after experiencing online sexual exploitation and extortion.
Sextortion typically involves threatening to publish intimate images or other sensitive material unless a victim pays money or meets another demand. Criminals may use false identities, online manipulation and threats of public exposure to pressure victims, including children and teenagers, into complying with their demands.
Patel said the outcome of the cases would not have been possible without the EFCC’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation. He also expressed appreciation to Olukoyede and the commission and said he looked forward to continued collaboration between the two agencies.
The latest commendation follows earlier efforts to strengthen cooperation between Nigerian and US law enforcement agencies against cybercrime. In July, officials from the US Consulate in Lagos and the FBI met EFCC representatives to discuss improved intelligence sharing and investigations into sextortion and other cross-border financial crimes. The EFCC’s efforts form part of wider international action against cross-border crime, including an INTERPOL operation across 97 countries that led to 5,811 arrests and the recovery of $293 million.
The EFCC has continued to warn Nigerians about the risks of sextortion and other forms of cybercrime. In an earlier advisory, Olukoyede urged young people to avoid online exploitation schemes and report suspicious activity rather than become involved in criminal networks. The commission says international cooperation remains essential because perpetrators, victims and digital evidence may be located in different countries.
The operation highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in investigating cyber-enabled crimes, particularly those involving the exploitation of minors. The suspects are facing charges in the United States, and the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings.