Customs Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla to Republic of Congo in First Full-Cycle International Wildlife Operation
Written by: Queen Abayomi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo in what the Service described as its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.
The operation, which took place from 22 to 28 September 2026, culminated in the safe return of Bili from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.
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The full-cycle operation covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international repatriation of a trafficked animal, marking a significant milestone in the Service’s efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and strengthen international cooperation in wildlife protection.
Bili was rescued in August 2023 by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking. Following the rescue, the gorilla was placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, where it underwent rehabilitation.
A subsequent DNA test confirmed that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, prompting arrangements for her repatriation. She was transported from Calabar to Lagos and subsequently airlifted to the Republic of Congo by DHL at no cost to the Service. Bili was accompanied on the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.
The repatriation was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Bili, as a gorilla, is listed under Appendix I of CITES and is therefore afforded the highest level of protection under the Convention as a species threatened with extinction.
As a signatory to CITES, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of endangered species and the responsible enforcement of international wildlife protection obligations. Through the SWO, the Nigeria Customs Service is strengthening its enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks while building partnerships that ensure rescued animals receive appropriate care and are safely returned to their countries of origin, appropriate destinations and natural habitats.
The repatriation of Bili therefore represents the culmination of enforcement intervention, rescue, rehabilitation and international cooperation in the protection of endangered wildlife.
The development also comes amid intensified enforcement against the illegal wildlife trade by the Nigeria Customs Service. 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 during the period 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 across different locations.
The enforcement operations covered 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. The Service also intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September. Several arrests linked to wildlife trafficking were also made during the operations.
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team, acknowledged the invaluable support 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 for their roles in ensuring Bili’s safe return home.
The Service reaffirmed that its mandate extends beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection, stressing its commitment to combating illegal wildlife trade and protecting endangered species.
The Nigeria Customs Service therefore urged members of the public to provide relevant information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
ABDULLAHI MAIWADA, PhD, mnipr, mniia
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
for Comptroller-General of Customs
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper September 30, 2026
