The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a wanted Chinese fugitive, Cai Jinlian, to the People’s Republic of China to face prosecution over alleged involvement in the trafficking of endangered wildlife.
Jinlian, 42, was handed over to Chinese authorities on July 29, 2026, following his arrest in Abuja on July 18 by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja after intelligence revealed that he had been residing in Nigeria and moving between Delta and Plateau states.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the suspect is wanted by Chinese authorities for allegedly smuggling about 12 tonnes of tree pangolin scales from Nigeria into China in two separate consignments between November 2018 and April 2019.
Investigations conducted by the Anti-Smuggling Sub Bureau of Wenzhou Customs linked Jinlian to the illicit wildlife trafficking operation. His two accomplices were earlier arrested, prosecuted and convicted by the Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court of Zhejiang Province in December 2020, where they received prison sentences of more than 14 years.
The statement explained that Jinlian fled China for Egypt on July 12, 2019, prompting Chinese authorities to obtain an arrest warrant against him on March 24, 2020. An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued on May 10, 2020, leading to an international manhunt.
Further intelligence later established that the fugitive had relocated to Nigeria around 2023, where he remained until his arrest by Nigerian police operatives.
The successful repatriation was carried out under bilateral police cooperation arrangements between Nigeria and China, enabling the suspect to return to Shanghai to face the pending criminal charges.
Commending the operation, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu, praised the professionalism and commitment of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja team for tracking down and apprehending the fugitive.
The IGP also directed the Environmental Crimes and Works of Art Team to intensify intelligence-driven operations against wildlife trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening international law enforcement cooperation through INTERPOL and other strategic partnerships aimed at combating cross-border criminal activities and protecting endangered wildlife species.
The police said the operation underscored Nigeria’s growing collaboration with global law enforcement agencies in tackling international organised crime and ensuring that fugitives do not find safe haven within the country’s borders.
