NSA arrests officers in charge of escaped Binance chief, coordinates with Interpol for rearrest
The office of the National Security Adviser said on Monday that security personnel who allowed Binance official Nadeem Anjarwalla’s escape have been arrested as it is working with Interpol to rearrest him.
“The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention,” the NSA office spokesperson Zakari U. Mijinyawa said in a statement on Monday.
Mr Anjarwalla’s escape from custody comes as another episode since he and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, were arrested and kept in detention by the Nigerian government on February 26.
“Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport,” the office said shortly after Premium Times’ report on his escape.
It added, “Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.”
The NSA’s office urged Nigerians and the international community to share any information to assist law enforcement agencies in apprehending Mr Anjarwalla.
According to Nigerian authorities, Mr Anjarwalla was scheduled to appear before the court again on April 4, 2024.
In a statement on Monday, Binance said it had been informed that Mr Anjarwalla was “no longer” in Nigeria’s detention and expressed concern over the safety of its employees.
The clampdown on Binance and other platforms comes as part of efforts by the Tinubu-led government to save the declining Nigerian naira, which traded for about N2000 to a dollar three weeks ago.
The naira now trades for N14,00 to a dollar, weeks after Binance officials were arrested and detained on claims that the platform aided currency speculators and sabotaged the Nigerian economy.
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.
Binance exited the Nigerian market and discontinued every naira-related transaction on its platform since Nigerian authorities clamped down on it.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
2027: COAS Shaibu charges troops on credible elections, professionalism
The army chief said much was expected of the troops in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
States
Gov Sani commences N2 billion compensation for 865 property owners affected by road projects
Mr Sani said the payments demonstrated his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development while protecting citizens’ rights.
Education
56,000 candidates register for 2026 private WASSCE
The HNO advised candidates to study diligently.
Economy
Court affirms UBA’s right to seize Stallion Group’s mortgaged assets over disputed N156 billion debt
The battle dates back to October 2023.
Heading 1
UN lauds Nigeria for full payment of $4.77 million regular budget contribution
Farhan Haq announced the payment during a press briefing at UN headquarters in New York.
States
Ex-Unilorin VC, eminent Kwara indigenes rally support for APC candidates
The committee is committed to resolving disagreements arising from the party’s primaries in the state.
