By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, from Nigeria to the Republic of Congo, marking what the Service described as its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.
The operation, which took place between September 22 and 28, 2026, covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and eventual safe return of the trafficked gorilla to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.
The NCS disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada.
According to the Service, Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, where she underwent rehabilitation.
A DNA test later established that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for her repatriation to her country of origin.
Following the confirmation, Bili was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost to the Service.
The gorilla was accompanied on the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor to ensure her safety throughout the repatriation process.
The Customs Service said the exercise was conducted in line with the provisions of 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.
Bili is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.
The repatriation comes amid intensified enforcement by the NCS against illegal wildlife trafficking across the country.
According to the Service, its Special Wildlife Office (SWO), operating under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), and various Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures between January and September 2026.
During the period, Customs officers 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, alongside several live endangered and protected species.
The enforcement operations were carried out across several locations, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos.
Among the animals rescued or intercepted were pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.
The Service also reported the interception in September of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks, in further operations targeting the illegal wildlife trade.
Customs said the operations also resulted in arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, underscoring its efforts to disrupt networks involved in the illegal movement of endangered animals and wildlife products.
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The Service said Bili’s repatriation demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species.
It said Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES reflected its commitment to enforcing international obligations on the protection of endangered wildlife.
Through its Special Wildlife Office, the NCS said it was strengthening its enforcement capabilities, disrupting trafficking networks and developing partnerships to ensure rescued animals receive appropriate care and are safely returned to their countries of origin or natural habitats.
The Service described Bili’s return to Congo as the culmination of several stages involving interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international cooperation.
The NCS, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, 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.
The Service said the cooperation of the organisations and authorities was instrumental to Bili’s successful return home.
The Customs Service also stressed that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue collection to include national security and environmental protection.
It urged members of the public to provide information on suspected illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
