The recent escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance Executive, from custody in Nigeria has sparked outrage and concern, underscoring the nation’s vulnerability to corruption. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has vehemently condemned this incident, calling for immediate action against those responsible for what they deem a significant breach of national security.
Nadeem Anjarwalla, aged 38, found an unexpected path to freedom last Friday when, under the pretext of participating in Ramadan prayers at a nearby mosque, he managed to elude the guards at the Abuja guest house where he and a colleague were detained. It is believed that Anjarwalla, who holds both British and Kenyan citizenship, subsequently fled Abuja aboard a Middle Eastern airline.
This escape not only highlights a glaring security lapse but also raises questions about the integrity of those tasked with safeguarding the nation’s borders and security. HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, has voiced strong criticism of the event, labeling it as an orchestrated escape that suggests a worrisome readiness among certain Nigerian security officials to sacrifice national security for personal gain.
The call to action from HURIWA is clear: the President of Nigeria should relieve the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service of their duties. This demand stems from the belief that the escape of Anjarwalla represents not just a failure in security but also a potential act of sabotage against Nigeria’s economy, implying a grave act of complicity.
HURIWA’s stance is that if the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Office of the National Security Adviser cannot conclusively demonstrate that Anjarwalla’s escape was not facilitated by internal complicity, then the incident should be treated with the utmost seriousness, meriting severe repercussions.
The escape has cast a spotlight on the systemic vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s security and immigration frameworks, suggesting a susceptibility to corruption that could undermine the country’s international standing. It illustrates a troubling scenario where even foreign nationals suspected of serious offenses can manipulate the system to their advantage, further eroding trust in Nigeria’s ability to enforce its laws and protect its borders.
Nadeem Anjarwalla served as Binance’s Africa Regional Manager, and his escape has not only marred Nigeria’s image but also posed pressing questions about the efficiency and reliability of the country’s security apparatus. The incident occurred in the context of Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen handling Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, being detained since their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024.
The HURIWA’s outcry and demands for accountability reflect a broader concern for Nigeria’s national security, the integrity of its institutions, and its international reputation. The association’s call for the dismissal of high-ranking officials over this incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review and overhaul of security and immigration protocols to prevent future breaches and restore faith in Nigeria’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.
This episode serves as a critical juncture for Nigeria, compelling it to confront and address the underlying issues of corruption that have allowed such a significant security breach to occur. It is a moment for introspection and action, aiming to reinforce the nation’s security infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to safeguard against the recurrence of such events, thereby ensuring that justice is served and national integrity is upheld.
Source: This Day Live
