President Joe Biden Thanks Nigerian Leader for Role in Ex-Federal Agent's Release

President Joe Biden thanked Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for securing the release of American citizen Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement official and Binance employee, on humanitarian grounds. Gambaryan spent eight months in Nigerian detention, where his deteriorating health and alleged mistreatment by prison officials sparked widespread calls for his release. During his imprisonment, Gambaryan’s supporters, including U.S. lawmakers and government officials, heavily lobbied the Biden administration to designate the former U.S. agent a hostage. Biden also praised the progress made through the newly established Bilateral Liaison Group on Illicit Finance and Cryptocurrencies, a joint U.S.-Nigeria effort combating financial crimes and money laundering.