The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, from Nigeria to the Republic of Congo, marking its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.
Bili was flown from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Congo, between September 22 and 28, 2026.
The operation covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and eventual repatriation of the endangered animal, according to the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada.
Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an operation against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under 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 return to her country of origin.
She was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost. Bili was accompanied on the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.
The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The gorilla is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.
The Customs Service said the successful repatriation demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to international wildlife protection obligations and efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
The service said its Special Wildlife Office (SWO), under the Customs Intelligence Unit, had intensified enforcement against the illegal wildlife trade and strengthened collaboration with relevant national and international organisations.
Between January and September 2026, the SWO and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.
The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory.
The enforcement operations were carried out in several locations, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos.
Other interventions resulted in 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 service said the arrests recorded during the operations further demonstrated its efforts to disrupt networks involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service commended 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 for their roles in Bili’s repatriation.
The NCS said its mandate extended beyond revenue generation to national security and environmental protection.
It urged members of the public to provide information on suspected illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
