By RhemDy News
The Nigeria Police Force, through INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Zhang Shijie, to Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, following his arrest in Nigeria in connection with alleged large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
Zhang, who was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued on January 7, 2021 over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday described African Rosewood as an endangered tree species indigenous to West Africa.
He placed the market value of the smuggled consignment at about 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
CSP Iniedu explained that the alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang remained outside China.
He stressed that intelligence subsequently established his presence in Nigeria, where he was residing in Ogun State with a Chinese passport which expired since November 11, 2023.
Following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigative efforts, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested the fugitive on September 10, 2026 in the Ogere area of Ogun State, after which he was repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026 in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and maximising INTERPOL tools and capabilities in tracking fugitives, combating transnational organised crime and preventing Nigeria from being used as a safe haven by persons wanted for criminal offences in other jurisdictions.
The Nigeria Police Force expressed 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.
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