U.S. officials push for improved intelligence sharing as both countries intensify efforts against cybercrime and transnational financial offences.
The United States Consulate in Lagos and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have called for stronger information sharing with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enhance the fight against sextortion and other transnational financial crimes.
The request was made during a courtesy visit by Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché James Smith and FBI Cyber Division official Thomas Pepper to the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE I Bawa Kaltungo.
According to the EFCC, the U.S. officials commended the commission for its investigative successes and sustained efforts in tackling sextortion, cybercrime and cross-border financial crimes.
Smith said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing partnership between the U.S. Consulate and the EFCC, particularly in the area of intelligence and information sharing.
Responding, Kaltungo appreciated the delegation and assured them of the commission’s continued cooperation in combating transnational crimes.
The meeting comes months after the FBI arrested 22 Nigerians in connection with an alleged sextortion network linked to multiple teen suicides in the United States.