Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has successfully arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Cai Jinlian, 42, to the People’s Republic of China to face charges relating to the trafficking of endangered wildlife.
Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu, confirmed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
CSP Iniedu said Jinlian is wanted for smuggling approximately 12 tonnes of tree pangolin scales from Nigeria into China in two consignments between November 2018 and April 2019, following investigations by the Anti-Smuggling Sub Bureau of Wenzhou Customs.
He added that his two accomplices were convicted and sentenced to over 14 years’ imprisonment by the Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court of Zhejiang Province in December 2020.
“After fleeing China to Egypt on July 12, 2019, a warrant for Jinlian’s arrest was issued on March 24, 2020, followed by the publication of an INTERPOL Red Notice on May 10, 2020.
“Intelligence later established that he had relocated to Nigeria around 2023, moving between Delta and Plateau States.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested him in Abuja on July 18, 2026, and repatriated him to Shanghai on July 29, 2026, under bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face the pending charges”, the Force spokesman said.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu, commended the professionalism and dedication of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja team in the successful operation, charging the Environmental Crimes and Works of Art Team to intensify intelligence-led efforts against wildlife trafficking and other transnational organized crimes.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening international law enforcement cooperation through INTERPOL and other strategic partnerships to combat transnational crime and protect endangered wildlife.