By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo after more than three years of rehabilitation in Nigeria, in what the Service described as its first international full-cycle wildlife enforcement operation.
The seven-day operation, which took place from September 22 to 28, 2026, covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and eventual international repatriation of the gorilla from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.
Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an enforcement operation targeting wildlife trafficking and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State, where she underwent rehabilitation.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said Bili’s origin was subsequently established through DNA testing, which confirmed that the gorilla was from the Republic of Congo. Following the confirmation, arrangements were made for her transfer from Calabar to Lagos and eventual airlift to Congo.
According to the Service, DHL facilitated the air transportation at no cost, while Bili travelled with a caregiver and a veterinary doctor to ensure her safety and proper care throughout the journey.
The NCS said the repatriation was carried out in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with support from 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. The Customs Service said Bili’s return was the culmination of coordinated efforts involving law enforcement, wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary care and international cooperation.
The repatriation also comes against the background of intensified enforcement by the Customs Special Wildlife Office (SWO), under the Customs Intelligence Unit, against illegal wildlife trafficking in Nigeria.
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 in connection with wildlife trafficking.
The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, in addition to various live endangered and protected species intercepted in different parts of the country.
The enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations. The rescued animals included pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.
The Service also recorded the interception of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September, with the operations resulting in several arrests linked to the illegal wildlife trade.
Maiwada said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, 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 the safe return of Bili.
The Customs Service further stated that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue collection to national security and environmental protection, stressing that its wildlife enforcement activities are also aimed at disrupting trafficking networks and ensuring that rescued animals receive appropriate care before being returned to suitable destinations.
It urged members of the public to provide information on illegal wildlife trafficking to the nearest Customs formation as part of efforts to protect endangered species and combat the illegal wildlife trade.
