FG Resumes Prosecution Of Boko Haram Detainees In Kainji — Ribadu

Nigeria has resumed the prosecution of all Boko Haram detainees in Kainji The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed this at the 2-day High-level African Counter-terrorism Summit in Abuja According to him, Nigeria is also gathering intelligence on the activities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP), to tackle the groups headlong. The Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, said the success of the United Nations lies in the collaboration of African countries towards providing African-based solutions.

NSA confirms Binance executive’s escape 

The National Security Adviser’s Office has confirmed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a detained executive from Binance, has fled from custody.  Anjarwalla, implicated in an investigation into Binance’s operations, escaped last Friday, as per the ONSA’s announcement on Monday.  This confirmation follows an earlier report by Starnews Ng detailing Anjarwalla’s escape.  Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication at ONSA, affirmed the development in a statement, disclosing that preliminary findings indicate Anjarwalla departed Nigeria using an illicitly obtained passport.  Efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitive. The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem ANJARWALLA, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024. “Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect. Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect. “Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport. ” Mijinyawa noted that those responsible for the custody of Anjarwalla had been arrested. He noted that the investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his escape. “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. “Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform. “Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts. The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024” the statement added. He urged Nigerians and the international community to help with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect. Mijinyawa said, “We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.” Financial Times had on February 28 reported that two executives of the company were arrested and detained after they flew into the country as a result of a ban on their website.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Tuggar Welcomes US Secretary of State Blinken for Bilateral Talks

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, warmly received the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The diplomatic encounter took place at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where Tuggar, alongside Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen George Akume, led a brief reception and exchanged pleasantries with the visiting American diplomat. Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed these details, highlighting the significance of the diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States. During Secretary Blinken’s visit, discussions are set to revolve around key areas such as deepening democracy in the West African subregion, enhancing trade relations, and bolstering security cooperation between the two nations. The Minister also plans to utilize the opportunity to advocate for multilateral reforms, specifically emphasizing the need to democratize the United Nations Security Council. The talks aim to strengthen ties and address regional and global concerns in a collaborative manner.