The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a Chinese national, Zhang Shijie, to Guangzhou, China, over his alleged involvement in the large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, in a statement on Thursday, said Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District, China, and was the subject of an arrest warrant issued on January 7, 2021, for allegedly smuggling about 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, popularly known as African Rosewood, valued at approximately 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
African Rosewood is an endangered tree species indigenous to West Africa and has been the target of illegal logging and transnational smuggling networks due to its high demand in international markets.
Nigerian authorities have, in recent years, intensified collaboration with international law-enforcement agencies to combat environmental crimes and other forms of transnational organised crime.
According to the police, the alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang remained outside China.
Intelligence later revealed that he was residing in Ogun State, Nigeria, with a Chinese passport that had expired on November 11, 2023.
Following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigations, INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives arrested the fugitive in the Ogere area of Ogun State on September 10, 2026. He was subsequently repatriated to Guangzhou on September 16, 2026, as part of ongoing bilateral police cooperation between Nigeria and China.
Reacting to the development, 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 to track fugitives, combat transnational organised crime and prevent Nigeria from serving as a safe haven for wanted persons.
He added that the Force would continue working with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement partners to enhance cross-border security and bring fugitives to justice.
