The Nigeria Police Force has repatriated a Chinese national wanted in his country over alleged large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
The suspect, identified as Zhang Shijie, was arrested in Ogun State by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, before being handed over to authorities in China.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the police, Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the Haikou Customs District in China following an arrest warrant issued against him on January 7, 2021.
The police alleged that Zhang was involved in the smuggling of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood, an endangered tree species found in West Africa.
Authorities said the alleged consignment was worth about 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
The alleged smuggling activities reportedly occurred between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang remained outside China.
Police said intelligence gathered by Nigerian authorities later established that the wanted Chinese national was residing in Ogun State. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a Chinese passport that had expired on November 11, 2023.
Following surveillance and coordinated investigations, INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives arrested Zhang on September 10, 2026, in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
He was subsequently repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026, as part of ongoing cooperation between Nigerian and Chinese law-enforcement authorities.
CSP Iniedu said Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime.
The IGP also stressed the importance of using INTERPOL's international policing mechanisms to locate fugitives and prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for individuals wanted over alleged offences in other countries.
The police said the Force would continue working with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement agencies to disrupt transnational criminal networks, improve cross-border security and ensure that fugitives are brought before the appropriate authorities to face due process.
The repatriation underscores the growing cooperation between Nigerian and international law-enforcement agencies in tackling crimes that cross national borders.