The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Zhang Shijie, to Guangzhou, China, following his arrest in Nigeria over alleged large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
In a statement, FoIn a statement, Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters, Abuja CSP Ani Iniedu said Zhang, who was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the Haikou Customs District, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued on January 7, 2021, in connection with the alleged smuggling of about 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood.
The endangered tree species, indigenous to West Africa, was reportedly valued at approximately 15.7 million Chinese Yuan. The alleged offences took place between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang reportedly remained outside China.
Intelligence gathered by law-enforcement authorities subsequently established that the suspect was residing in Ogun State, Nigeria, using a Chinese passport that had expired on November 11, 2023.
Following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigative operations, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested Zhang on September 10, 2026, in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
He was subsequently repatriated to Guangzhou on September 16, 2026, in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation between Nigeria and China.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and maximising INTERPOL tools and capabilities to track fugitives, combat transnational organised crime and prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for persons wanted for criminal offences in other jurisdictions.
The Force also pledged continued collaboration with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement partners to strengthen cross-border security, disrupt transnational criminal networks and ensure that fugitives are brought within the reach of justice.
