The Nigeria Police Force says it repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Zhang Shijie, to Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, following his arrest in Nigeria over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.

This was disclosed on Thursday by Ani Iniedu, the force spokesman, who said in a statement that the arrest was made through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja.

“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 7th January, 2021 over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood, an endangered tree species indigenous to West Africa,” he said.

Mr Iniedu stated that the consignment was valued at about 15.7 million Chinese yuan.

He added that the alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Mr Zhang remained outside China.

“Intelligence subsequently established his presence in Nigeria, where he was residing in Ogun State with a Chinese passport which expired since 11th November, 2023,” he noted.

He stressed that through intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigative efforts, the fugitive was arrested last Thursday in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

Mr Iniedu said the suspect was repatriated on Wednesday in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation.