Nigeria Accused of "Kidnapping" Former Binance Executive Amid Rising Tensions

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has accused Nigeria of "kidnapping" his former employee, Tigran Gambaryan, an ex-US federal agent, who was detained for eight months without cause. This accusation comes amid rising tensions between Nigeria and the United States, with former US President Donald Trump threatening possible military intervention in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

 Gambaryan, who headed Binance's Financial Crime Compliance unit, was arrested in Lagos on February 28, 2024, alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, the company's regional manager for Africa. Their arrest was part of Nigeria's clampdown on cryptocurrency exchanges accused of money laundering, tax evasion, and

 foreign exchange manipulation.

Zhao's accusation was made in a post on X, where he stated, "Nigeria also basically kidnapped Tigran Gambaryan, an ex-Binance employee and an ex-U.S. federal agent, for 8 months without cause a year ago". Gambaryan was eventually released after diplomatic pressure and international criticism.

The Nigerian government has firmly rejected the accusations, with President Bola Tinubu stating that the claim of religious intolerance "does not reflect our national reality". The government remains committed to combating violent extremism and upholding religious freedom for all citizens.

Trump's threat of military intervention has sparked intense debate, with some calling for stricter oversight and others criticizing the media for biased reporting. The situation highlights deep divisions over the regulation of crypto markets and the role of media narratives in shaping public opinion.

Zhao has denied reports of seeking a pardon from Trump, calling them "politically motivated" and "agenda-driven journalism". The controversy surrounding Binance and its executives continues to unfold, with implications for the crypto industry and international relations.