IN a major feat of international policing, the Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has apprehended and repatriated a notorious Chinese fugitive, Mr Chen Gaochong, to China over multi-million Yuan tax fraud.
The high-profile arrest, executed in Lagos on Tuesday, 24th June 2025, followed a coordinated covert operation between Nigerian and Chinese law enforcement authorities in line with international legal frameworks.
Mr Chen was formally handed over to Chinese officials on Thursday, 3rd July 2025.
According to a press release issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the fugitive was wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province for the fraudulent issuance of 45 special Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices amounting to RMB 4,974,400.
The fraudulent acts reportedly occurred between May and August 2017 under the guise of legitimate business dealings.
The Chinese authorities began investigating Mr Chen’s financial crimes on 5th March 2020.
He was said to have used the identities of two companies — Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd. — without consent, issuing fake VAT documents to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd.
Following the exposure of his criminal operations, Mr Chen fled Mainland China via the Shenzhen Bay Port on 16th November 2019, transiting through Hong Kong and eventually making his way to Burkina Faso.
He illegally crossed into Nigeria in 2021 and deliberately avoided renewing his international passport in a bid to elude global law enforcement agencies.
An arrest warrant for Chen’s detention was issued by the Chinese authorities on 9th July 2020. Upon receipt of a formal request from China, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched an intelligence-led operation that culminated in his capture and subsequent repatriation.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, hailed the success of the operation as a testament to Nigeria’s unyielding commitment to transnational justice.
