The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo, marking the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation involving interception, rescue, rehabilitation and the return of a trafficked animal to its country of origin.
In a statement National Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada said the operation, conducted between September 22 and 28, 2026, was coordinated by the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU). Bili was transported from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.
Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed in the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
Following a DNA test which established that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, arrangements were made for her repatriation. Bili was moved from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost to the Service.
The animal was accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor throughout the journey to ensure her safety and welfare.
The repatriation was conducted in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with the support of the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction and imposes strict controls on their international trade.
The Customs Service said the successful repatriation demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its international wildlife protection obligations and strengthening enforcement against the illegal wildlife trade.
The Service said its Special Wildlife Office would continue to enhance its capacity to identify and disrupt wildlife trafficking networks while strengthening partnerships to ensure rescued animals receive appropriate care and are safely returned to their countries of origin or suitable natural habitats.
The operation comes against the backdrop of intensified enforcement by the NCS against illegal wildlife trafficking across the country.
Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.
Among the seizures were 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, in addition to several live endangered and protected species.
The enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
Notable interventions during the period included the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees. In September alone, Customs officers also intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks.
The operations resulted in several arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, as the Service intensified efforts to disrupt criminal networks involved in the illegal exploitation and movement of protected species.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the management of the Service acknowledged the contributions of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Government of the Republic of Congo to Bili’s safe return.
The NCS stressed that its mandate extends beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection, urging members of the public to provide information on suspected illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
