Nigeria repatriates Chinese fugitive arrested in Ogun over ¥15.7 million rosewood smuggling

Nigeria has repatriated a Chinese fugitive arrested in Ogun State over the alleged smuggling of about 1,400 tonnes of endangered African rosewood valued at ¥15.7 million ($2.34 million).

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, handled the arrest and repatriation, according to a statement released by the police on its X page on Thursday.

The fugitive, Zhang Shijie, was wanted by Chinese authorities over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of the rosewood consignment between November 2020 and January 2021.

What they are saying

The Nigeria Police Force said Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District in China, following an arrest warrant issued on January 7, 2021.

• “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,” the statement read in part.
• The alleged offences involved approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African rosewood, an endangered tree species indigenous to West Africa.
• According to the police, the consignment was valued at about ¥15.7 million.
• Following the alleged offences, Zhang remained outside China, while intelligence later established that he was residing in Ogun State, Nigeria.

The police said Zhang was using a Chinese passport that had expired on November 11, 2023, before INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives arrested him on September 10, 2026, in the Ogere area of Ogun State following sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Nigeria repatriates fugitive to China

Zhang was subsequently repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026, as part of bilateral police cooperation between Nigeria and China. The operation followed the establishment of his location in Nigeria and coordinated efforts by INTERPOL NCB Abuja.

• The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening international police cooperation.
• He said the Force would continue to maximise INTERPOL tools and capabilities to track fugitives and combat transnational organised crime.
• The police said the cooperation would help prevent Nigeria from being used as a safe haven by persons wanted for criminal offences in other jurisdictions.
• The Force added that it would continue working with INTERPOL and international law-enforcement partners to disrupt cross-border criminal networks.

The repatriation brings Zhang within the reach of the Chinese authorities that issued the warrant in connection with the alleged smuggling case.

Get up to speed

The latest case comes amid other enforcement actions involving foreign nationals accused of cross-border criminal activities in Nigeria.

• The Federal High Court in Abuja recently sentenced 38-year-old South African national Will Jessica Ann to 25 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
• Days earlier, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Mexican national Arturo Carrera Loaiza while he was allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport.
• The NDLEA linked Loaiza to a wider transnational drug network and a methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Ebonyi State.

The agency also said its investigation uncovered suspected clandestine methamphetamine operations involving Mexican nationals and Nigerian collaborators in Ogun and Oyo states.

The cases highlight the involvement of Nigerian law-enforcement agencies in investigations involving foreign nationals and alleged transnational offences.

What you should know

Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African rosewood, is an endangered tree species native to West Africa and has been subject to international restrictions because of concerns over its exploitation and trade.

The species is sought after for its dense and durable wood and its use in furniture and other high-value products.

• Its commercial value has made it a target of illegal logging and cross-border trafficking.
• International law-enforcement cooperation can be important in cases where suspects leave the country in which an alleged offence occurred.
• In this case, the Nigeria Police Force worked through INTERPOL NCB Abuja to locate and arrest Zhang in Ogun State before returning him to China.

The case highlights the role of cross-border police cooperation in tracking fugitives and addressing alleged environmental and other transnational crimes.