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Nigeria has repatriated a Chinese national, Zhang Shijie, to China after he was arrested over allegations linked to the large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, handed Zhang over to authorities in Guangzhou, China, after his arrest in Ogun State.
According to police, Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District for his alleged involvement in smuggling about 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood, an endangered tree species found in West Africa.
The consignment was reportedly valued at approximately 15.7 million Chinese Yuan. The alleged offences took place between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang remained outside China despite an arrest warrant issued against him on 7 January 2021.
The police said intelligence gathering later established that Zhang had relocated to Nigeria, where he was residing in Ogun State with an expired Chinese passport. His travel document reportedly expired on November 11, 2023.
Following surveillance and coordinated investigations, INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives arrested Zhang on 10 September 2026 in the Ogere area of Ogun State. He was subsequently repatriated to Guangzhou on 16 September 2026 as part of ongoing cooperation between Nigerian and Chinese law enforcement agencies.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to using international policing tools to track fugitives and tackle cross-border crimes.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the repatriation reflects Nigeria’s collaboration with INTERPOL and other international partners in combating transnational organised crime.
The police added that the move reinforces efforts to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for individuals wanted for criminal offences in other countries and strengthens cooperation in ensuring suspects are brought before relevant authorities.
