The Nigeria Police Force arrested and repatriated a wanted Chinese national, Zhang Shijie, for his alleged role in smuggling endangered African rosewoo.
Police officials said the arrest was part of an ongoing effort to curb wildlife trafficking in the country. Zhang was identified as a key figure in the smuggling network that had been moving the protected rosewoo species across borders.
The African rosewoo is listed as endangered, and its trade is prohibited under international conservation agreements. The smuggling of such protected species is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Following his arrest, Zhang was repatriated to China. Authorities confirmed that he will face legal proceedings in his home country for the alleged wildlife trafficking offences.
This case highlights the importance of enforcing wildlife protection laws and the cooperation between national law‑enforcement agencies and international partners to combat the illegal trade of endangered species.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>