Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has accused Nigerian authorities of “kidnapping” former Binance govt and U.S. federal agent Tigran Gambaryan for eight months in a dramatic escalation of worldwide tensions.
Zhao’s assertion, in a now deleted submit on X, got here simply moments after U.S. President Donald Trump introduced preparations for potential navy intervention in Nigeria over alleged non secular persecution.
“Nigeria additionally principally kidnapped Tigran Gambaryan, an ex-Binance worker and an ex-US federal agent, for 8 months with out trigger a yr in the past,” Zhao wrote, referencing rising Western criticism of Nigeria’s therapy of Christians.
Gambaryan, who served as Binance’s Head of {Financial} Crime Compliance, was arrested in Lagos on February 28, 2024, alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, the corporate’s regional supervisor for Africa.
Their detention was a part of Nigeria’s broader crackdown on cryptocurrency platforms, which authorities accused of cash laundering, tax evasion, and international trade violations. Whereas Anjarwalla escaped custody, Gambaryan remained detained till October 2024, when the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja discharged him from all expenses.
In a follow-up submit, Gambaryan echoed Zhao’s claims and alleged that Nigerian officers boasted about extorting the U.S. authorities for his launch. “Thanks @cz_binance (Zhao). Then they bragged about extorting the Biden administration out of $50 million to launch me,” he wrote.
The controversy erupted as President Trump issued a fiery assertion on social media, condemning what he described because the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria.
“If the Nigerian Authorities continues to permit the killing of Christians,” Trump warned, “the usA. could very nicely go into that now disgraced nation, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to fully wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who’re committing these horrible atrocities.”
He added, “I’m hereby instructing our Division of Battle to arrange for attainable motion. If we assault, it is going to be quick, vicious, and candy”.
U.S. Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth backed Trump’s stance, posting “Sure, sir,” alongside a screenshot of the president’s assertion. He added, “The killing of harmless Christians in Nigeria, and anyplace, should finish instantly. The Division of Battle is making ready for motion”.
The Nigerian authorities has strongly denied allegations of non secular persecution. President Bola Tinubu responded, stating, “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously illiberal doesn’t replicate our nationwide actuality.”
He emphasised Nigeria’s dedication to safeguarding non secular freedom and ongoing collaboration with worldwide companions.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga criticized the U.S. narrative, calling it “a gross exaggeration of the Nigerian scenario.” He famous that each Christians and Muslims face assaults from extremist {groups} and urged the U.S. to help Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts slightly than subject threats.
Previous to Tinubu’s assertion, the Federal Authorities had mentioned that america stays one in all Nigeria’s closest allies regardless of President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Nation of Specific Concern” over alleged killings of Christians.
