The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerian men to the United States over alleged sextortion schemes targeting teenage boys, with the cases linked to the deaths of two American minors.
The suspects, identified as Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were arrested in Nigeria following separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the EFCC, the alleged schemes targeted male minors, particularly those between 13 and 17 years old, and involved the use of sexually explicit material to threaten victims and demand money through channels including money transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
In one case, the FBI said a 13-year-old boy was contacted through Instagram and allegedly persuaded to exchange nude photographs. The suspect then reportedly threatened to share the images with the boy's contacts unless money was paid.
The EFCC said communications allegedly continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life. The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and sought assistance from Nigerian authorities.
Olawale faces a seven-count US charge, including alleged sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement of a minor, threatening communications and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The two suspects were extradited to the US on August 26, 2026, following cooperation between the FBI and EFCC. They will face prosecution in the United States and remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The FBI has described the pair as high-value targets, while US authorities warned that perpetrators who target vulnerable children online can be pursued internationally.
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