The Nigeria Police Force has successfully arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Mr. Chen Gaochong, who was in China for tax fraud involving the illegal issuance of Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices totaling nearly RMB 5 million.
The arrest was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, following a formal request for assistance from Chinese authorities. Chen was apprehended in Lagos on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and handed over to Chinese officials on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
According to a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation was conducted in close collaboration with Chinese police and in compliance with international law enforcement protocols.
Chen, a male Chinese national, was declared wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province for allegedly issuing 45 fake VAT invoices between May and August 2017. The fraudulent invoices, worth a total of RMB 4,974,400, were linked to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. and were issued using the names of two other companies—Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd.—without their consent.
Following the launch of an investigation on March 5, 2020, Chinese authorities discovered that Chen had fled Mainland China in November 2019 through the Shenzhen Bay port to Hong Kong. He later traveled to Burkina Faso and eventually entered Nigeria illegally in 2021. In a bid to avoid detection, he deliberately refrained from renewing his passport.
An arrest warrant was issued by the Peixian Public Security Bureau on July 9, 2020. Covert intelligence operations by INTERPOL NCB Abuja led to his eventual capture.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, praised the operation as a major win in the fight against transnational crime. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for fugitives.
“The Force remains committed to upholding global standards in crime prevention and will continue to strengthen international collaboration to combat crime and criminality,” the statement added.
Discover more from Inside Abuja Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
