The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo, marking the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation involving the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and return of a trafficked animal.
Bili was repatriated between September 22 and 28, 2026, through the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), departing from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.
This was disclosed in a statement signed the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, on Wednesday.
According to the Service, Bili was rescued in August 2023 by Customs officers during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
A DNA test later confirmed that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, leading to arrangements for her repatriation.
The animal was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost to the Service. She was accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor throughout the journey.
The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The NCS noted that gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES and therefore enjoy the highest level of protection under the international convention.
The Service said Bili’s return represents the culmination of a three-year process involving interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international cooperation.
It added that the operation demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under CITES while strengthening efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
The repatriation comes amid intensified wildlife enforcement activities by the NCS.
Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office and various 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, according to the Service.
The enforcement operations were carried out across Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
Among the animals rescued during the period were 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 dismantle networks involved in illegal wildlife trafficking.
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 ensuring Bili’s safe return.
The NCS reiterated that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection.
It consequently urged members of the public to provide information on suspected illegal wildlife trafficking activities to the nearest Customs formation.
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