By Pius Ashima, Onwumere Pamela & Precious Uti
The Nigeria Customs Service has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo, describing the operation as its first international full-cycle wildlife intervention.
Bili was flown from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo, between September 22 and 28, 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Wednesday.
The operation was conducted by the Special Wildlife Office under the Customs Intelligence Unit and covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and safe international return of the trafficked animal.
The Customs Service said Bili was rescued in August 2023 by its officers during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed in the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
A DNA test later confirmed that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, prompting arrangements for her repatriation from Calabar to Lagos before she was airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost.
She 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.
Bili is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which affords the species the highest level of protection because of the threat of extinction.
The Customs Service said the successful return demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in tackling wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species.
The development came amid intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, with the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recording 22 wildlife seizures between January and September 2026.
The Service said 699 live animals were rescued while 11 suspects were arrested during the period.
The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, as well as various live endangered and protected species.
The enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
Among the animals rescued were pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.
In September alone, Customs officers intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks.
The Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, acknowledged the 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 facilitating Bili’s return.
It further disclosed that the responsibilities of the Service extended beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection.
The NCS urged members of the public to report information concerning illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
