The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo, marking what it described as its first full-cycle international wildlife enforcement operation.
The exercise, which took place from September 22 to 28, 2026, involved the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and eventual return of the trafficked gorilla to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Congo.
Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
According to the NCS, a DNA test later confirmed that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for her repatriation.
Bili was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost to the authorities. 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 Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The gorilla is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.
The Customs Special Wildlife Office (SWO), under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), said the operation demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to international wildlife protection and efforts to disrupt trafficking networks.
The Service said the successful repatriation was the culmination of enforcement, rescue, rehabilitation and international cooperation involving Nigerian authorities, conservation organisations and the government of Congo.
699 live animals rescued
The operation 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.
The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory.
The enforcement operations were conducted in several locations, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos.
Among the animals rescued or intercepted 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 as part of efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
The NCS said the operations also resulted in arrests connected to wildlife trafficking, describing the development as part of its sustained efforts to dismantle illegal wildlife networks.
The Service, under the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, acknowledged the support of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Government of the Republic of Congo in facilitating Bili’s return.
The NCS said its mandate extends beyond revenue collection to include national security and environmental protection, and urged members of the public to report information on illegal wildlife trafficking to the nearest Customs formation.
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