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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following commendation by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its role in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerians accused of sexually exploiting and extorting minors.
The commendation, contained in a letter by FBI Director, Kash Patel, to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution to Operation Artemis, a joint international investigation targeting criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and extortion of children.
The operation culminated 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.
Patel said the successful prosecution of the cases would not have been possible without the EFCC’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reacting to the FBI’s commendation, President Tinubu described the recognition as evidence of Nigeria’s growing capacity to combat financial crimes and strengthen collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
The President commended Olukoyede and his team for their professionalism, insisting that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for criminals who prey on innocent people, irrespective of where their victims are located.
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“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 gains in strengthening its international financial standing, including its 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.
Tinubu said the developments reflected his administration’s commitment to improving financial integrity, restoring international confidence and creating a more secure environment for legitimate businesses and investments.
He maintained that the success of the anti-corruption campaign should be measured by concrete results rather than publicity.
“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 support in the fight against financial crimes and efforts to protect Nigerians while strengthening the country’s standing among international partners.
