The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has repatriated a 42-year-old Chinese national, Cai Jinlian, to the People’s Republic of China to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in the trafficking of endangered wildlife, including the smuggling of approximately 12 tonnes of pangolin scales from Nigeria.
The Force said the suspect was arrested by operatives of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, following intelligence that traced him to Nigeria after years on the run.
According to the police, Chinese authorities accused Jinlian of smuggling two consignments of tree pangolin scales from Nigeria into China between November 2018 and April 2019. The investigation was conducted by the Anti-Smuggling Sub Bureau of Wenzhou Customs.
Police said two of Jinlian’s alleged accomplices were 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 suspect reportedly fled China to Egypt on July 12, 2019, before an arrest warrant was issued against him on March 24, 2020. An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently circulated on May 10, 2020.
Investigations later revealed that Jinlian relocated to Nigeria around 2023, where he reportedly moved between Delta and Plateau states in a bid to evade arrest.
Acting on what it described as credible intelligence, INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives arrested the fugitive in Abuja on July 18, 2026. He was subsequently repatriated to Shanghai on July 29, 2026, under bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face the outstanding charges.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun? Wait, no, the statement identified IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu, commended the professionalism and dedication of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja team for the arrest and repatriation.
The IGP also directed the Force’s Environmental Crimes and Works of Art Team to strengthen intelligence-led operations against wildlife trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to deepening international law enforcement collaboration through INTERPOL and other strategic partnerships to combat cross-border crime and protect endangered wildlife.
