Nigerian police announced on Wednesday, July 30th, 2026, that they had arrested and deported a Chinese man involved in trafficking approximately 12 tonnes of pangolin scales to China. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Cai Jinlian, was apprehended in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on July 18th and sent to Shanghai on July 29th to face wildlife trafficking charges.

According to a police statement, Cai smuggled the pangolin scales in two consignments between November 2018 and April 2019. An international arrest warrant was issued in 2020 after Cai fled China to Egypt before relocating to Nigeria.

Pangolins are among the world's most endangered species, and their scales are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine despite lacking scientific evidence of medicinal benefits. Nigeria serves as a major hub for traffickers sending pangolin scales to Asia.

Nigerian police confirmed they had "successfully arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Cai Jinlian," underscoring efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

Sources