Nigeria Repatriates Zhang Shijie Over Massive Rosewood Smuggling

• Chinese national Zhang Shijie was repatriated from Nigeria to China after his arrest in Ogun State by INTERPOL operatives.
• He was wanted by Chinese authorities for allegedly smuggling approximately 1,400 tonnes of endangered African rosewood, valued at 15.7 million Chinese yuan.
• The arrest on September 10, 2026, followed intelligence that Zhang, who had an expired passport, was residing in Nigeria after an arrest warrant was issued in 2021.
• His repatriation on September 16, 2026, to Guangzhou, China, highlights strong Nigeria-China bilateral police cooperation.
• Nigerian police officials reaffirmed their commitment to international partnerships and preventing the country from becoming a safe haven for transnational organized crime fugitives.

This case demonstrates Nigeria's strengthened commitment to international police cooperation, particularly through INTERPOL, to combat transnational economic crimes like illegal timber trade.

Nigerian authorities have successfully repatriated Zhang Shijie, a Chinese national, to China following his apprehension in Ogun State. The arrest, carried out by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja on September 10, 2026, led to his subsequent transfer to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026. Zhang was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District in China for his alleged involvement in the large-scale smuggling of endangered African rosewood.

An arrest warrant for Zhang Shijie had been issued on January 7, 2021, after the alleged offenses took place between November 2020 and January 2021. He had remained outside China since that time. Intelligence gathered by Nigerian law enforcement indicated that Zhang was residing in the Ogere area of Ogun State, using a Chinese passport that was set to expire on November 11, 2023.

The charges against Zhang Shijie stem from his alleged participation in the illicit trade of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African rosewood. This significant volume of timber, valued at an estimated 15.7 million Chinese yuan, highlights the lucrative nature of such illegal operations. The allegations, which detail a substantial operation involving the illegal movement of this endangered species, underscore the economic scale of the transnational organised crime Nigeria is actively working to combat, particularly in the context of environmental exploitation and resource theft.

The successful apprehension and repatriation of Zhang Shijie exemplify Nigeria's strengthened commitment to international police cooperation, particularly through INTERPOL. The operation, which culminated in Zhang's transfer to Guangzhou, China, on September 16, 2026, was a direct result of bilateral police cooperation between the two nations. DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed these details via X, highlighting the collaborative effort.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu has publicly reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force's dedication to enhancing international law enforcement partnerships. He emphasized the NPF's resolve to fully utilize INTERPOL's tools and capabilities to track down fugitives and effectively combat transnational organised crime. This case demonstrates Nigeria's proactive stance against individuals involved in illegal trade, such as African rosewood smuggling.

This case sends a clear message regarding Nigeria's strategic efforts to prevent its territory from becoming a sanctuary for individuals wanted for criminal offenses in other countries. The Nigeria Police Force has stated its ongoing commitment to collaborating with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement agencies. Their objective is to dismantle cross-border criminal networks and ensure that fugitives, particularly those involved in illegal trade like Pterocarpus erinaceus illegal trade, cannot evade justice by seeking refuge within Nigerian borders. This robust approach underscores the nation's resolve in the global fight against economic crimes.

This case demonstrates Nigeria's strengthened commitment to international police cooperation, particularly through INTERPOL, to combat transnational economic crimes like illegal timber trade. Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients involved in cross-border commerce, especially in sensitive sectors, that Nigeria is actively working to prevent its territory from being a safe haven for fugitives, increasing the risk of arrest and repatriation for those wanted for similar offenses abroad.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers