Abuja, Nigeria – July 10, 2025
In a notable display of international cooperation, the Nigeria Police Force—through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja—has reportedly arrested and facilitated the repatriation of a Chinese national, Mr. Chen Gaochong, to the People’s Republic of China. This development is being hailed as a significant achievement in global efforts to combat transnational financial crimes.
According to an official police release, Mr. Chen was allegedly wanted by Chinese authorities for offenses related to tax fraud. Reports indicate that between May and August 2017, he allegedly issued 45 fraudulent Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices amounting to approximately RMB 4.97 million (over ₦1.1 billion), using the names of multiple Chinese companies without their consent. The alleged fraud was first flagged by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province, prompting an investigation that began in early 2020.
Mr. Chen allegedly fled China in late 2019, reportedly passing through Hong Kong and Burkina Faso before entering Nigeria in 2021, where he lived under the radar. Authorities suggest he intentionally refused to renew his travel documents to mask his identity. A warrant for his arrest was issued by Chinese authorities in July 2020.
Following a formal request from China and in compliance with international law enforcement protocols, INTERPOL NCB Abuja initiated a covert operation which led to Mr. Chen’s arrest in Lagos on June 24, 2025. He was subsequently handed over to Chinese authorities on July 3, 2025.
Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a public statement, emphasized the commitment of the Nigeria Police under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun to ensuring that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for international fugitives. He reaffirmed the Force’s dedication to upholding global standards in crime prevention and fostering cooperation with international security agencies.
This case underscores Nigeria’s active role in combating transnational crime and its growing capacity for high-level intelligence operations. While critics have raised questions about transparency and due process in such international handovers, officials maintain that the operation followed due legal protocols and mutual legal assistance agreements.
Disclaimer: All individuals mentioned remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
—
For more updates on law enforcement and international affairs, stay with Free Surge Magazine.
Mr. Gaochong, who was wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau in China’s Jiangsu Province, had been on the run since 2019 for allegedly masterminding a multi-million yuan tax fraud scheme. Chinese investigators linked him to the illegal issuance of 45 fake Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices, amounting to RMB 4.97 million (approx. ₦1.1 billion), between May and August 2017. The fraudulent invoices were issued under the guise of legitimate business transactions, using the names of unsuspecting companies—Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd.—without their consent.
After fleeing Mainland China via Shenzhen Bay to Hong Kong in November 2019, Gaochong eventually made his way to Burkina Faso, before illegally entering Nigeria in 2021. Authorities revealed that he intentionally avoided renewing his international passport to hide his identity and evade capture.
Upon receiving a formal request from Chinese law enforcement, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched an extensive intelligence operation. Gaochong was successfully apprehended in Lagos on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and following due process, was officially repatriated and handed over to Chinese authorities on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Speaking on the successful operation, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not become a sanctuary for international criminals. “This arrest and repatriation underscore our dedication to upholding global standards in crime prevention and international cooperation,” the IGP stated.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, emphasized that the Force remains resolute in its collaboration with international partners to uphold justice and security. “Nigeria will not be used as a safe haven for fugitives evading the law anywhere in the world,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force’s successful collaboration with INTERPOL and Chinese authorities has been widely praised as a model for future global law enforcement partnerships, particularly in tackling complex financial crimes that transcend national borders.
