EFCC extradites two Nigerians to US over alleged sextortion linked to teen deaths

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sextortion and child sexual exploitation linked to the deaths of two American teenagers.

The suspects, identified as Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, following separate investigations conducted in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The EFCC disclosed this in a statement on Friday, explaining that the two men were identified during separate FBI investigations into alleged sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.

According to the commission, the alleged schemes involved obtaining or using Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to threaten and extort victims for money. The alleged perpetrators reportedly demanded payments through money remittance services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

The FBI linked the investigations involving the two Nigerian suspects to separate cases in which American teenagers died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.

One of the cases involved a 13-year-old boy who reportedly received a direct message on Instagram from an individual seeking an exchange of nude photographs.

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After the photographs were allegedly obtained, the individual reportedly threatened to send them to the teenager’s Instagram contacts unless money was paid.

The EFCC said communications between the individual and the minor continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.

Following intelligence provided by the FBI, the EFCC said it conducted investigations that led to the identification and arrest of Adekunle.

In a separate case involving Olawale, US authorities sought his extradition over a seven-count charge relating to the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, attempted sexual exploitation, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications, and the alleged distribution and attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The EFCC subsequently commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos, under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.

The Federal High Court initially rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently appealed the decision.

The case was eventually determined by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, which on July 7, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court’s decision and cleared the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.

Following the appellate court’s decision, the EFCC completed the extradition process, leading to the transfer of Olawale and Adekunle to US authorities on August 26.

The commission said the development demonstrates the continued cooperation between the EFCC and FBI in investigating and prosecuting transnational financial and cyber-enabled crimes, particularly cases involving the exploitation of minors.

The case also highlights concerns over the growing use of social media and digital platforms in online sextortion, where offenders allegedly obtain intimate images or other sensitive material and then threaten victims with exposure in an attempt to obtain money or force further compliance.

The suspects are expected to face prosecution in the United States over the allegations. The extradition and charges do not constitute a conviction, and the allegations against both men remain subject to determination by the US courts.

EFCC extradites two Nigerians to US over alleged sextortion linked to teen deaths

Bauchi Police Arrest Stepfather for Alleged Defilement of 8-Month-Old Baby

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Balarabe Adamu over the alleged sexual abuse of his eight-month-old stepdaughter in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reportedly reported on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 5:34 pm. According to a statement issued late Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, Adamu, who resides in Lame, Toro LGA, allegedly defiled the infant after the child was brought to his residence by his wife. The baby was subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Toro, for medical examination and treatment, the police said.

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Following the report, operatives of the Gumau Police Division visited the scene and arrested the suspect. The police said Adamu remains in custody while investigation into the alleged offence continues. The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged abuse and assured that the command would ensure justice for the victim. Aliyu directed that the case be thoroughly investigated and that the suspect be charged to court upon completion of the investigation in accordance with the law.

The mother of the baby has reportedly appealed to authorities to ensure justice is served, expressing shock and distress over the incident. The command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence and child abuse, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the police. The police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

Bauchi Police Arrest Stepfather for Alleged Defilement of 8-Month-Old Baby

Niger Police Arrest Six in Kidnap Syndicate Using Fake Lifts to Abduct Victims

Police uncover a syndicate operating across four states that lured victims with offers of rides before drugging and abducting them for ransom.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate allegedly operating along the Suleja and Kontagora axes, with links to Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states. The suspects were identified as Amira Yusuf, 23, from Kano State; Abdullahi Garba, 40, from Sokoto State; Ibrahim Mohammed, 37, from Kano State; Maijida Abubakar, 26, from Kano State; Abdullahi Sani, 40, from Zamfara State; and Bello Shehu, 22, from Sokoto State.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the investigation began after a case of criminal conspiracy and suspected kidnapping was reported at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, on May 14, 2026. The breakthrough followed a kidnapping report involving a woman and her infant who were allegedly abducted by unknown hoodlums in Suleja on February 7, 2026, while the woman was on her way to the market.

Two days after the abduction, the victim’s relatives reportedly received a call from an unknown number demanding N50 million ransom for her release. The relatives allegedly raised N9.5 million, which was paid in instalments into three different bank accounts bearing different names. Despite the payment, the victim was not released and the abductors allegedly threatened to kill her.

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The victim eventually managed to escape, leaving behind personal belongings, including her mobile phone and ATM card. Police said the suspects subsequently exploited the abandoned banking details to demand N10.5 million ransom from another woman who was abducted in Shagari, Sokoto State, while travelling to visit her husband in the Kontagora area of Niger State.

Following the report, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit commenced an investigation and analysed the bank accounts through which ransom payments had allegedly been made. The investigation led to the arrest of Amira Yusuf Aliyu, 23, in Kano State on July 2. During interrogation, police said Amira claimed she had been deceived by one Mustapha Yusuf, the alleged leader of the syndicate who is currently at large. According to the police, Amira alleged that Mustapha lured her to Sokoto under the pretext of introducing her to his family ahead of marriage, but subsequently abducted her and used her bank account details to demand ransom from her parents.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Garba, also known as Zidane, 40, of Sokoto State, on July 26. Garba was reportedly arrested at the residence where Amira was allegedly held following her abduction. The police said Garba admitted knowledge of the incident but claimed that Mustapha had also deceived him into believing that Amira was his fiancée and allegedly used his phone to communicate with her parents without his knowledge.

The investigation also resulted in the arrests of Ibrahim Mohammed Kote, 37, and Maijida Abubakar Yusuf, 26, both from Kano State, on August 7 and 10 respectively. Police said findings showed that Ibrahim was the brother-in-law of the alleged kingpin and had stood as surety for Mustapha when he was arrested and detained by another security agency in Kano. Maijida, who police identified as Mustapha’s wife and an alleged member of the syndicate, was also accused of allowing her bank account to be used to receive several ransom payments. According to the police, Maijida confessed to receiving ransom payments and allegedly disclosed that proceeds from the criminal activities were used to purchase a Honda Civic vehicle, renovate her room and acquire household items.

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Another alleged senior member of the syndicate, Abdullahi Sani, also known as Samaila Atulu, 40, from Zamfara State, was arrested in Zaria on August 19. The police said assorted charms were recovered from Sani during a search. During interrogation, Sani allegedly confessed to using the charms to defraud members of the public under the guise of providing spiritual assistance. He also allegedly admitted arranging with Mustapha for some of his clients to be kidnapped. Police said Sani was later identified during an identification parade at the command headquarters by one of the victims, who pointed to him as one of those allegedly involved in the abduction of her and her baby in Suleja.

The sixth suspect, Bello Shehu, 22, of Gangam Village in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was arrested in connection with the disappearance of the second victim. Police said Shehu was reasonably suspected of providing information about the victim’s whereabouts to Mustapha, whom he allegedly knew.

The command said investigations had so far led to the arrest of the six suspects, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend Mustapha Yusuf, identified as the alleged leader of the syndicate, and two other members known as Jafar and Fatima. The suspects are currently in police custody and undergoing further investigation and interrogation. The police said the investigation would continue until all relevant evidence was recovered, after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

This comes as the Niger State Government and police intensify efforts to combat kidnapping in the state. In July 2026, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago launched the Police Command’s 218-member Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and commissioned 12 operational vehicles to strengthen the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state. The unit comprises specially selected officers drawn from tactical formations and police divisions across the state, who have undergone intensive training in modern policing, operational procedures and human rights.

The command assured residents of its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting lives and property across the state. It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down kidnappers and other violent criminals.

Niger Police Arrest Six in Kidnap Syndicate Using Fake Lifts to Abduct Victims