Crime

Binance boss: US congress moves against Nigeria *Our citizen under hostage

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

Nigeria may be squaring up against the US soon, if Joe Biden, listens to signals coming from the House of Representatives to the effect that Tigran Gambaryan, detained executive of Binance, currently going through legal trial in the country for fraud that he is being held hostage.

Nothing short of his immediate release would be good enough for a group of 16 lawmakers in the lower House in their petition to the POTUS demanding his intervention in asking Nigeria to return the Binance boss and bring him back to the US to face proper investigation.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had arrested Gambaryan, accused alongside the company, of charges including non-payment of value-added tax and corporate income tax, and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform, in February this year and held him in a guest house before formal charges were brought against him and Binance in an Abuja court in April.

But the lawmakers who would have none of it, riled against the treatment, saying he was wrongfully detained while also warning that his health was now a big issue and there was danger of him losing his life.

Part of the letter to Biden, on Tuesday read: “On behalf of Mr. Gambaryan, his family, and concerned Americans, we, the undersigned, urgently request and strongly encourage the transfer of his case to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.”

The letter published by Fox Business correspondent Eleanor Terrett on her X handle on Wednesday, also saw the lawmakers saying that Gambaryan qualified as a “U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government” and his detention has been “marked by excessive and harsh treatment.”

Signed by the group which included House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, Michael T. McCaul, a Republican from Texas, it added: “Mr. Gambaryan’s health and well-being are in danger, and we fear for his life. Immediate action is essential to ensure his safety and preserve his life. We must act swiftly before it is too late.”

Gambaryan, Binance’s chief of financial compliance, “has been wrongfully detained since late February after granting the Nigerian government’s request for discussions regarding the crypto giant’s business in the country. The government of Nigeria took Mr. Gambaryan hostage and thus needs his government’s help to be freed,” the group said, while highlighting his work as a former IRS agent who helped lead some of the country’s “most prolific cyber investigations,” including the seizure of $4.725 billion in illicit funds.

The House members’ letter to the President’s office marks the most high-profile move concerning Gambaryan’s case, and marks a significant development, following his family’s continued appeals to the government for help.

The law firm handling Gambaryan’s case previously wrote in a letter to the Nigerian Federal High Court that their client was “very ill” and required immediate and comprehensive medical attention.

Multiple outlets reported that Gambaryan collapsed during a hearing of the case wherein the compliance officer is accused of involvement in Binance’s violations of Nigerian law.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered for Gambaryan’s transfer to a hospital, but his family said late last month, that he had not been moved to a hospital.

They also revealed that the Binance executive was suspected of having malaria and a severe throat infection.

A spokeswoman for Gambaryan’s family was quoted to have told FOX Business, that Gambaryan is now back in prison, following a brief hospital visit, his health deteriorating rapidly due to poor treatment.

“It has been 100 days since my husband, Tigran, was taken hostage by the Nigerian government. Despite my relentless efforts to bring him home, the fight has been long and difficult. Today, however, it feels like my plea for help may finally be heard by the US government.,” Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, said through a spokeswoman. “I do hope more members will show their support for Tigran as well and urge the government to take immediate action to bring an innocent American citizen home to his children.”

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Crime

$245million scam: Police escort Xu Qing, Chinese kingpin back home

Published

7 days ago

May 7, 2026

Whirlwindnews

Xu Qing, the syndicate kingpin who masterminded the massive scamming of his countrymen via a fake Ponzi scheme to the tune of $245million was on Wednesday, escorted out of Nigeria by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on his way back to China, his home country.

Anthony Placid, spokesman of the NPF, who disclosed this much in a statement on Wednesday, said the operation was coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja following an official request from Chinese law enforcement agencies.

Chinese authorities had reportedly declared Xu wanted in Beijing over allegations linked to the unlawful collection of public funds on a large scale, with police investigations showing that he fled China and entered Nigeria on November 5, 2024, allegedly to avoid prosecution.

This led to his a warrant for his arrest issued on November 12, 2025, by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of the Qingdao Public Security authority.

Placid explained that INTERPOL operatives in Abuja, acting on intelligence reports and conducting prolonged surveillance, eventually traced the fugitive to a factory in Olowotedo, Siun Village, within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was arrested there on April 24, 2026.

Following his arrest, Xu Qing was deported to the People’s Republic of China on April 28, 2026, under existing bilateral policing and international cooperation arrangements, where he is expected to face prosecution for the alleged financial crimes.

“Acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance operations, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja successfully tracked and arrested the fugitive at a factory located in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on 24th April 2026 after which the suspect was repatriated to the People’s Republic of China on 28th April 2026 through bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face prosecution for the offences,” the statement said.

The statement added that Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu reiterated the force’s determination to deepen collaboration with international security agencies in the fight against cross-border criminal activities.

Disu also urged Nigerian companies and employers to thoroughly verify the backgrounds of foreign nationals before entering into business relationships or employment agreements, including seeking assistance from law enforcement agencies when necessary.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to preventing Nigeria from becoming a refuge for international fugitives and will continue to work closely with global partners to combat transnational organised crime,” the statement added.

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Crime

German national stabbed, robbed in Abuja

Published

8 months ago

September 13, 2025

Babatunde Bello

A German citizen was attacked and robbed in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Saturday morning, raising alarms about increasing insecurity in the city.

According to a security report, the incident occurred around 8:00 AM along IBB Way near Maitama Primary School.

The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was walking when assailants on motorcycles stabbed and robbed him before fleeing. The report highlighted a growing trend of motorcycle-based robberies targeting both locals and foreigners in Abuja.

An advisory accompanying the report urged Federal Capital Territory residents to remain vigilant, avoid walking alone in unsecured areas, refrain from displaying valuables, and opt for secure transportation.

The report stated, “On September 13, 2025, at approximately 0800hrs, a German national was stabbed and robbed along IBB Way in Abuja, near Maitama Primary School. The victim was walking when attacked by hoodlums on motorcycles. Robbery and assault, Use of motorcycles for quick escapes and Potential targeting of foreigners and locals. Exercise extreme caution when walking in Abuja, especially in areas with low security presence. Avoid displaying valuables or walking alone in isolated areas. Be aware of surroundings and potential threats. Consider using secure transportation services. Report incidents to local authorities immediately. Cooperate with law enforcement agencies to enhance security measures. Stay informed about local security situations and follow advisories from authorities and security focal persons.”

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Crime

Lagos police in fresh N1million extortion saga! *How they forced me to pay – musician

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2024

Whirlwindnews

Barely one month after authorities of the Lagos Police Command, dealt with the case of extortion of N1million by four of its operatives from some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in the state, they will have to return back to deal with yet another, for exactly the same amount.

This time, it is the case of one Efemena Richard, described as an upcoming artist, who just returned from South Africa and was heading to Warri, the oil city of Delta State to visit the mother, who is telling exactly the same story as the one faced by the NYSC members in Surulere area of the Nigeria’s financial capital.

Louis Edet House Abuja, headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), moved quickly in reaction to the development, which is already trending on social media to order prompt investigation into the matter, which is also attracting a lot of reactions.

Richard, while recounting his ugly experience in the hands of the policemen on Monday, narrated how he was forced to cough out N1 million after he was accosted by the officers, reportedly attached to the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, who thereafter, forced him to sign some papers, while taking his photographs at the same time.

An X user identified as Harrison Gwamnishu, but tweeting as #HarrisonBbi18, who shared a video of the artiste narrating his ordeal via his X handle late Monday, October 21, 2024, recounted the details of exchange between him and the artiste, saying the said policemen forced him to transfer the sum from his account before going to Warri, Delta State.

The exchange, as he recounted, went thus: “Boss, [the] police just extorted me. They took 1 million naira from me after searching my phone at the airport and found nothing. I was headed to the airport when they stopped me. I told them I was already missing my flight but they refused to allow me to go.”

In the three-minute-long video which was tagged, highlighted him, saying: “One million naira extorted from a music artist #smookyhighgrade by some police officers attached to the Beesam Police Station before Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. They asked for $10,000. They gave me papers to write [on] that they will leave me if I write anything I’m asked to write, so I can go catch my flight. I could have left the money but I can’t, it’s a lot of money. Nigerians, please help me, N1 million is no small money.”

Richard, who said he made a video of one of the men, showing the dark-stained tips of his fingers which he said were proofs of thumbprints made, at the behest of the officers, also recalled that he was recorded in a video in which the officers forced him to speak to show that he was not under duress, and signed papers, to be used as his consent, after which he told his sister to send the N1m.

“They even asked for my blockchain wallet, I don’t know what concerns the police with that. I’m just an upcoming artiste, not a fraudster. I just came from South Africa to promote my music. I was heading home to see my mum before I experienced this.

Reacting to the tweet on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, called on the Lagos Police Command PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, and the PRO, Airport Command, to commence an investigation into the matter.

“#PoliceNG_CRU, #PoliceNG, contact #BenHundeyin and PRO Airport Command to fish out these men and revert please. Thanks,” the tweet read.

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