Zhang Shijie Arrested in Ogun, Returned to China After Five-Year Manhunt
The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive wanted in connection with the alleged smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
The suspect, Zhang Shijie, was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District, China, over the alleged smuggling of about 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood.
According to the police, the consignment was valued at about 15.7 million Chinese Yuan. The alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021.
An arrest warrant was issued for Zhang on January 7, 2021, after which he allegedly remained outside China.
Intelligence gathered by Nigerian authorities subsequently established that Zhang was residing in Ogun State. Police said he was using a Chinese passport that had expired on November 11, 2023.
Following surveillance and coordinated investigations, INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives arrested him on September 10, 2026, in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
The police said Zhang was repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026, as part of bilateral police cooperation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and using INTERPOL tools to track fugitives and combat transnational organised crime.
The force said it would continue working with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement agencies to disrupt cross-border criminal networks and prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for fugitives wanted in other jurisdictions.