US lawmakers have accused Nigeria of holding Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan hostage. Gambaryan, a US citizen and head of financial crime compliance at Binance, has been detained in Abuja since April 2024. The confrontation began in February when Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and a colleague, who later escaped, during a visit to discuss compliance issues.
Sixteen Republican congressmen, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, have urged President Joe Biden to intervene. They wrote to Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, describing the charges against Gambaryan as baseless and a coercion tactic by the Nigerian government.
Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris rejected the allegations, stating that Gambaryan is being held lawfully and has committed a crime. He emphasized that no one’s life is in danger, countering the US lawmakers’ claims.