…Bili’s return marks first full-cycle international wildlife operation by NCS
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, named Bili, to the Republic of Congo, marking what the Service described as its first full-cycle international wildlife enforcement operation.
Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD,
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer, said this in a press statement on Wednesday, 30th September, 2026.
Bili was flown from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo between September 22 and 28, 2026, following a process that began with her rescue in Nigeria in August 2023.
According to the NCS, the operation covered the entire chain of wildlife intervention—from interception and rescue to rehabilitation and eventual international repatriation.
The gorilla has now been returned to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.
The Customs Service said Bili was rescued by its officers during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking in August 2023 and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State, for rehabilitation.
Following rehabilitation, a DNA test was conducted to establish the animal’s origin. The test confirmed that Bili was from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for arrangements to return her to her country of origin.
The gorilla was subsequently transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost to the Nigerian authorities.
Bili travelled under the supervision of a caregiver and a veterinary doctor to ensure her welfare throughout the journey.
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), with the support of the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The NCS said gorillas, including Bili, are protected under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection to species threatened with extinction and subjects their international trade to stringent controls.
The Service described Bili’s return as a significant demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to international wildlife protection obligations and efforts to combat the illegal trafficking of endangered species.
It said the successful operation also highlighted the importance of collaboration among law-enforcement agencies, conservation organisations, international partners and the governments of countries involved in wildlife trafficking and repatriation.
Customs records 22 wildlife seizures:
The repatriation comes amid intensified efforts by the NCS to combat illegal wildlife trafficking across Nigeria.
According to the Service, its Special Wildlife Office (SWO), operating under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), in collaboration with Customs Area Commands, recorded 22 wildlife seizures between January and September 2026.
During the period, Customs said it rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects in connection with wildlife-related offences.
The seizures included approximately 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, in addition to several live endangered and protected species.
The enforcement operations were carried out across several parts of the country, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
The rescued animals included 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, further highlighting the scale and variety of wildlife trafficking confronting enforcement authorities.
The Service said the arrests and seizures were part of sustained efforts to disrupt networks involved in the illegal wildlife trade and prevent endangered species from being trafficked through Nigeria.
Nigeria reaffirms commitment to wildlife protection
The NCS said Bili’s repatriation demonstrated that its role extends beyond conventional customs responsibilities, including revenue collection and border control, to encompass national security, environmental protection and enforcement of international wildlife protection agreements.
It said the successful return of the gorilla represented the culmination of several stages of intervention—interception, rescue, rehabilitation, scientific identification, international coordination and safe repatriation.
The Service also 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 to the operation.
The Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, said it would continue to strengthen its capacity to detect and disrupt wildlife trafficking while deepening collaboration with conservation organisations and international partners.
It also appealed to members of the public to provide information on suspected wildlife trafficking activities to the nearest Customs formation.
The Service said public cooperation remained critical to protecting endangered species and dismantling criminal networks involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
The NCS described Bili’s safe return to Congo as a reminder of the importance of coordinated international action in protecting endangered wildlife and ensuring that rescued animals are returned to appropriate conservation environments.