Police in Nigeria arrest, repatriate Chinese through INTERPOL National Central Bureau
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Chen Gaochong, a male Chinese fugitive declared wanted by his country, has been arrested and repatriated by Nigerian police through INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja
Police Force Headquarters spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed in a statement that the operation was carried out in collaboration with Chinese police authorities and in accordance with international law enforcement protocols.
He said it marked a significant milestone in transnational police cooperation and the global fight against financial crime.
Gaochong was declared wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province in China for offences involving tax fraud, specifically the unlawful issuance of special Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices totalling RMB 4,974,400.
“Investigation, initiated by Chinese authorities on March 5, 2020, revealed that between May and August 2017, the suspect fraudulently issued 45 VAT invoices for fictitious transactions under the guise of legitimate business activities,” the statement recounted.
“These invoices were issued to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co. Ltd., using the names of two other companies, Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co. Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co. Ltd., without their consent or involvement.
“Following the discovery of his criminal activities, Gaochong fled Mainland China on November 16, 2019 through the Shenzhen Bay Port to Hong Kong, and later escaped to Burkina Faso before illegally entering Nigeria in 2021.
“He deliberately avoided renewing his international passport in an attempt to conceal his identity and evade arrest.
“An arrest warrant was subsequently issued by the Peixian Public Security Bureau on 9th July 2020 for his detention on suspicion of tax-related offences.
“Upon receipt of a formal request for assistance from Chinese authorities, INTERPOL NCB Abuja commenced covert intelligence operations, leading to the successful tracing and arrest of the fugitive in Lagos on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
“In the spirit of international law enforcement cooperation and mutual legal assistance, Gaochong was repatriated and formally handed over to Chinese authorities on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirms its dedication to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a haven for criminals fleeing justice.”
Adejobi stressed that the police remain committed to upholding global standards in transnational crime prevention and will continue to strengthen its collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to combat crime and criminality.
Read also:
