Nigeria: Chinese gang leader extradited amid major Interpol crackdown

Edited By: Tendai Zola

Nigerian authorities announced on Monday the extradition of Dai Qisheng, a Chinese gang leader wanted since 2024 in Guizhou province for orchestrating violent crimes. He had been arrested earlier in Abuja through a joint operation with Interpol.

This extradition is part of a larger crackdown on foreign cybercriminals in Nigeria. Since August 15, 102 foreigners have been expelled, including 60 Chinese nationals convicted of cyberterrorism and online fraud. The operation follows a December 2024 crackdown in Lagos’ Victoria Island, where 792 individuals were arrested, making it one of the largest dismantlings of foreign cybercriminal networks in Nigeria.

Authorities highlighted that criminal networks often recruit local accomplices to target international victims via phishing scams, including citizens from the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Nigerian authorities have also conducted multiple operations in clandestine training centers teaching online fraud techniques.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that its citizens abroad must respect local laws and regulations.