By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Police Force, 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.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, stating that the repatriation was carried out in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation.
According to the statement, Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District, China, over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood.
The consignment was reportedly valued at approximately 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
The alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, while an arrest warrant was issued against Zhang on January 7, 2021.
The Police said intelligence subsequently established that the suspect was residing in Ogun State, Nigeria, using a Chinese passport that expired on November 11, 2023.
Following intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigations, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested Zhang on September 10, 2026, in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
He was subsequently repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and maximising INTERPOL tools and capabilities to track fugitives and combat transnational organised crime.
Disu also stressed the importance of preventing Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for individuals wanted for criminal offences in other jurisdictions.
The Force reiterated its commitment to working with INTERPOL and international law enforcement partners to strengthen cross-border security, disrupt transnational criminal networks and ensure that fugitives are brought within the reach of justice.
