Customs repatriates rescued baby Gorilla to Republic of Congo

By Onu Okorie

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo, bringing to a close a three-year rescue and rehabilitation process.
The repatriation exercise, which took place from September 22 to 28, 2026, was carried out by the Service’s Special Wildlife Office SWO under the Customs Intelligence Unit CIU.
The development was disclosed by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada.
According to Maiwada, the operation marked the NCS’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and safe return of a trafficked animal to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.
Bili was rescued in August 2023 by Customs officers during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking. Following her rescue, she was placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
A subsequent DNA test established that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for arrangements to return her to her country of origin.
The gorilla was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to the Republic of Congo by DHL at no cost. She was accompanied on the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor to ensure her welfare throughout the repatriation process.
The exercise was conducted in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment supported the repatriation.
Bili is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.
The Customs Service said Nigeria’s participation in CITES underscores its commitment to protecting endangered species and enforcing international obligations relating to wildlife conservation.
Through the SWO, the Service said it would continue to strengthen its enforcement capabilities, disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and develop partnerships to ensure rescued animals receive appropriate care and are safely returned to their rightful destinations and natural habitats.
The repatriation of Bili, it said, represented the culmination of interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international cooperation in the protection of endangered wildlife.
The development comes amid intensified Customs enforcement against illegal wildlife trafficking across the country.
Between January and September 2026, the SWO and various Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects, according to the Service.
The seizures 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 at different locations.
The enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
The Service also reported the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees during the period.
In September alone, Customs officers intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks as part of ongoing efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
The operations also resulted in arrests linked to wildlife trafficking.
The NCS, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team, 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 in ensuring Bili’s safe return.
The Service reaffirmed that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection.
It urged members of the public to report information relating to illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.