A police statement said "high-profile fugitive", Dai Qisheng was sent to China on August 15 as part of Interpol-led "police-to-police cooperation".

Dai "a notorious gang leader wanted in Guizhou province, China, for orchestrating and leading violent organized crimes, fled his home country in 2024 after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Public Security Bureau of Zhijin County," the statement said.

He was arrested in the Nigerian capital Abuja on August 8.

Police hailed the exercise as a "landmark" operation.

On Thursday Nigeria said it had deported 102 foreigners including 60 Chinese nationals convicted of "cyber-terrorism and internet fraud" since August 15.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters that Beijing "has consistently required Chinese citizens overseas to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, and it supports host countries in lawfully cracking down on criminal activities."