NPF Repatriates Chinese Fugitive In Cross-Border Rosewood Smuggling Case
Nigeria has tightened its net against cross-border organised crime, with the Nigeria Police Force repatriating a Chinese fugitive wanted over the alleged smuggling of 1,400 tonnes of endangered African Rosewood.
The fugitive, Zhang Shijie, was arrested by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, on 10 September 2026 in Ogere, Ogun State, following intelligence-led surveillance and investigation.
Zhang was wanted by Chinese authorities over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of Pterocarpus erinaceus, an endangered West African tree species, in a consignment valued at about 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
An arrest warrant was issued against him in January 2021 over offences allegedly committed between November 2020 and January 2021.
He subsequently remained outside China before intelligence linked him to Nigeria, where he was living with an expired Chinese passport.
Following his arrest, the Police repatriated Zhang to Guangzhou, China, on 16 September, in furtherance of bilateral law-enforcement cooperation.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu said the operation highlights the importance of INTERPOL mechanisms in tracking fugitives and disrupting transnational organised crime.
The Force said it would continue working with INTERPOL and international law-enforcement partners to ensure Nigeria does not become a safe haven for fugitives wanted in other jurisdictions
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