Nigeria Repatriates Wanted Chinese Wildlife Trafficking Suspect to Face Trial
Nigeria Repatriates Wanted Chinese Wildlife Trafficking Suspect to Face Trial
Nigeria Repatriates Wanted Chinese Wildlife Trafficking Suspect to Face Trial
Nigeria has intensified its efforts to combat transnational organised crime following the successful arrest and repatriation of a wanted Chinese national accused of large-scale wildlife trafficking.
The Nigeria Police Force disclosed that operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, arrested the 42-year-old fugitive and handed him over to Chinese authorities to face trial over alleged wildlife trafficking offences.
According to the Force, the suspect is accused of smuggling approximately 12 tonnes of endangered pangolin scales from Nigeria to China between 2018 and 2019.
Investigations revealed that the suspect fled China and subsequently concealed his identity in Nigeria, where he reportedly operated across Delta and Plateau States before eventually being arrested in Abuja on July 18, 2026.
Following the completion of the necessary international law-enforcement procedures, the suspect was repatriated to Shanghai, China, on July 29, 2026, under established international police cooperation mechanisms.
The successful operation highlights the growing cooperation between Nigerian and international law-enforcement agencies in tackling organised criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking and other cross-border offences.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Rilwan Disu, commended the INTERPOL NCB Abuja team for the successful operation and directed the Force’s Environmental Crimes and Works of Art Team to intensify intelligence-led operations against wildlife trafficking.
The IGP reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening international law-enforcement partnerships and supporting global efforts to combat transnational organised crime while protecting endangered wildlife species.
The development also underscores Nigeria’s increasing role in international efforts to disrupt criminal networks exploiting the country as a transit route for illegal wildlife trafficking.
Nigeria Repatriates Wanted Chinese Wildlife Trafficking Suspect to Face Trial
