FBI Brings Two Nigerians Back To US Over Alleged Sextortion Of Minors

By Onoja Baba

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has brought two Nigerian nationals, Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, back to the United States to face charges over alleged sextortion crimes targeting minors.

FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the two suspects were arrested in Nigeria in 2023 and had remained outside the United States for about three years before their extradition.

Patel identified the suspects as Adekunle and Olawale, saying they were brought back to the US to face justice over allegations involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

According to the FBI Director, the charges against the suspects include sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement, extortion, and the distribution and production of child sexual abuse material, among other offences.

Patel also disclosed that one of the alleged sextortion schemes linked to the suspects resulted in the death of a child.

He said the suspects had been overseas for three years but were now back on American soil to answer to the allegations against them.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said the arrests and extradition of the suspects were made possible through the proficiency and efforts of its operatives.

The development highlights continued cooperation between Nigerian and US law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational crimes, particularly online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving minors.

The suspects are expected to face prosecution in the United States, where they will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against them.