The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and repatriated to China a wanted wildlife trafficking suspect linked to the illegal export of approximately 12 tonnes of pangolin scales from Nigeria, following a coordinated INTERPOL operation.
The suspect, Cai Jinlian, 42, was returned to the People’s Republic of China to face prosecution over alleged offences involving the trafficking of endangered wildlife after being apprehended by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, Jinlian is wanted by Chinese authorities for allegedly smuggling two consignments of tree pangolin scales weighing about 12 tonnes from Nigeria into China between November 2018 and April 2019.
The statement disclosed that investigations conducted by the Anti-Smuggling Sub Bureau of Wenzhou Customs linked the suspect to the illicit shipments, while two of his accomplices were arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to more than 14 years’ imprisonment by the Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court of Zhejiang Province in December 2020.
Iniedu explained that Jinlian fled China for Egypt on July 12, 2019, before a warrant for his arrest was issued on March 24, 2020. An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently circulated on May 10, 2020, to facilitate his international arrest.
According to the police spokesperson, intelligence later revealed that the fugitive had relocated to Nigeria around 2023, where he moved between Delta and Plateau states in a bid to evade capture.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested Cai Jinlian in Abuja on July 18, 2026. He was subsequently repatriated to Shanghai on July 29, 2026, under bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face the pending charges,” Iniedu stated.
The Force spokesman said the successful operation underscored the Nigeria Police Force’s growing capacity to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational organised crime.
He added that the Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Rilwan Disu, commended the professionalism, resilience and operational efficiency displayed by officers of INTERPOL NCB Abuja throughout the investigation and repatriation process.
“The Inspector-General of Police commended the professionalism and dedication of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja team in the successful operation and charged the Environmental Crimes and Works of Art Team to intensify intelligence-led efforts against wildlife trafficking and other transnational organised crimes,” Iniedu said.
The Force spokesman further quoted the Inspector-General as reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international law enforcement cooperation through INTERPOL and other strategic partnerships.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening international law enforcement cooperation through INTERPOL and other strategic partnerships to combat transnational crime and protect endangered wildlife,” Iniedu quoted the IGP as saying.
The successful repatriation highlights the deepening collaboration between Nigerian and international law enforcement agencies in disrupting cross-border criminal networks involved in environmental crimes and the illegal wildlife trade, while reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to global efforts to protect endangered species and bring transnational offenders to justice.
