The United States and Nigeria have strengthened their cooperation against financially motivated sextortion, romance scams and other forms of transnational cybercrime.

Michael Gonzales, the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, highlighted the progress during his visit to Abuja. His trip coincided with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Awareness Week and focused on advancing shared security priorities.

Gonzales met with senior officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Police Force. Discussions centred on expanding joint investigations and improving coordination against cyber-enabled offences.

He noted that cybercrime crosses borders within seconds and urged law-enforcement agencies to ensure that international cooperation moves equally swiftly. Recent extraditions, he said, demonstrate the effectiveness of combining investigative, diplomatic and legal capabilities.

In August, Nigeria extradited two alleged cybercriminals to the United States. They face separate charges involving financially motivated sextortion cases connected to American minors who died by suicide. Since 2022, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Abuja has worked with the EFCC on 41 extraditions, including five completed in 2026.

Gonzales commended the EFCC, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for supporting the investigations and extradition process. He also stressed that swift and visible accountability is essential to deterring criminals and protecting vulnerable victims.

The visit reaffirmed that the strength of US-Nigeria security cooperation is measured not only by funded programmes, but also by practical results and sustained institutional collaboration.

Evangelist Apostle John Okoriko of Akwa Ibom State has urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy the nation’s available resources and security architecture to combat Boko Haram.

Speaking during a monthly interactive session themed “The Power of Belief,” Okoriko attributed the sect’s activities to a destructive religious belief system. He warned that such beliefs, alongside other retrogressive cultural practices, could undermine Nigeria’s stability and development if left unchecked.

According to him, education drives technological advancement and economic growth. He therefore expressed concern that Boko Haram’s opposition to education, particularly in northern Nigeria, could severely damage the country’s future.

Okoriko also urged Nigerians to maintain faith in their country despite insecurity, economic hardship and limited technological progress. He stressed that a nation unable to uphold the rule of law or believe in its own future risks collapse.

He called on the Federal Government to confront Boko Haram decisively, promote education and discourage beliefs that hinder national development.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested individuals allegedly involved in illegal National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment in Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory, and other locations nationwide.

The arrests were made by the Commission’s Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit, which also confiscated equipment used for the unauthorised activities.

In a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC said the operation formed part of its ongoing campaign against unauthorised enrolment, illegal data modification and the extortion of applicants.

The Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, reaffirmed the Commission’s zero tolerance for extortion and unprofessional conduct. NIMC urged Nigerians to complete enrolment only at approved centres and use its official self-service platform for data modifications.

The Commission also advised the public to avoid unauthorised agents, download the NINAuth app for security features such as NIN protection and slip printing, and report complaints through its toll-free line: 0800 0616 462.