The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Mr. Chen Gaochong, wanted for tax fraud, to the People’s Republic of China in a joint operation with Chinese law enforcement authorities and INTERPOL.
The operation, coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation in combating transnational crime.
Mr. Chen was declared wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province for his alleged role in a major tax fraud case involving the unlawful issuance of 45 fake Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices between May and August 2017.
The fraudulent invoices, amounting to RMB 4.97 million, were issued to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. using the names of two other companies without their knowledge or consent.
Following the exposure of his criminal activities, Chen fled China in November 2019, passing through Hong Kong and Burkina Faso before entering Nigeria illegally in 2021. He reportedly refused to renew his international passport in a bid to hide his identity and avoid detection.
An arrest warrant was issued by Chinese authorities on July 9, 2020. After receiving a formal request from the Chinese government, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched a covert operation which led to Chen’s arrest in Lagos on June 24, 2025. He was subsequently handed over to Chinese authorities on July 3, 2025.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to prevent the country from becoming a sanctuary for international fugitives.
He emphasized the Force’s commitment to global best practices in law enforcement and its ongoing collaboration with international partners to fight organized and transnational crime.