The world’s largest cryptocurrency trade platform, Binance, says it is cooperating with President Bola Tinubu’s government despite its official, Nadeem Anjarwalla, escaping from detention.

When contacted by Peoples Gazette on Monday, Binance said tersely, “We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody.” 

“Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees, and we are working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to resolve this issue quickly,” the statement said.

Mr Anjarwalla’s escape from custody comes as another episode since he and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, were arrested and detained on February 26, as Nigerian authorities clamped down on Binance and other platforms to save the declining naira. 

According to Premium Times, Mr Anjarwalla escaped from detention last Friday. The National Security Adviser confirmed this development in a statement on Monday, vowing to rearrest him.

“Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport,” the office of the NSA said shortly after Premium Times’ report on his escape.

The NSA said “security agencies are working with Interpol for an It added, “Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.”

Upon blocking the Binance website to Nigerian users and arresting its officials, Peoples Gazette reported that the Tinubu-led government demanded that the cryptocurrency platform furnish it with a list of top Nigerian Binance users and their transaction details to release their officials held hostage. 

Last week Monday, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court ordered Binance Holdings Limited to provide the EFCC with comprehensive information on all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform.