The Nigeria Police Force has detained and returned to China Xu Qing, a Chinese man who fled to Nigeria to avoid arrest due to alleged involvement in a $245,000,000 financial fraud scheme.
The Chinese were repatriated, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Nigeria Police spokesperson Anthony Placid. He claimed that a formal request from Chinese authorities led to the repatriation.
The statement claims that on November 5, 2024, Qing escaped to Nigeria, and on November 12, 2025, the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security of the People’s Republic of China filed a warrant against him.
“National Central Bureau Abuja, has successfully arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Xu Qing, to the People’s Republic of China to face charges related to large-scale illegal absorption of public deposits through a Ponzi scheme.
“The repatriation followed a formal request from Chinese authorities, who declared the suspect wanted in Beijing for his alleged involvement in a financial fraud scheme estimated at over $245,000,000.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect fled China to Nigeria on 5th November 2024 in an attempt to evade arrest, following which a warrant was issued against him on 12th November 2025 by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security,” the statement partly read.
Placid stated that on April 24, 2026, INTERPOL agents located and detained the suspect at a factory in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, based on intelligence and persistent observation.
“The suspect was repatriated to the People’s Republic of China on 28th April 2026 through bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face prosecution for the offences,” the statement added.
Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to bolstering international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime.
Additionally, he counseled Nigerian companies and employers to perform due diligence, including police background checks, prior to hiring foreign nationals.
