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.

Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the Haikou Customs District in China. An arrest warrant was issued against him on January 7, 2021, over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of about 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood, an endangered tree species native to West Africa.

According to the police, the smuggled consignment was valued at approximately 15.7 million Chinese Yuan. The alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang reportedly remained outside China while efforts continued to locate him.

Intelligence later established that the fugitive was residing in Ogun State, Nigeria, using a Chinese passport that had expired on November 11, 2023. Following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigations, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested him on September 10, 2026, in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

Six days after his arrest, Zhang was repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026, in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation between Nigeria and China. The development underscores the role of international law-enforcement collaboration in tracking suspects wanted across national borders.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and maximising INTERPOL tools and capabilities to track fugitives, combat transnational organised crime and prevent Nigeria from being used as a safe haven by persons wanted for criminal offences in other countries.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the Nigeria Police Force would continue to work 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.