Follow Us on Google
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a baby gorilla rescued from wildlife traffickers in 2023, to the Republic of Congo in what it described as its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.
The gorilla was flown out of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, between September 22 and 28, 2026, and handed over to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in the Kouilou Department of Pointe-Noire, Congo.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said Bili was rescued in August 2023 during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking.
Following its rescue, the gorilla was placed in the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State, for rehabilitation.
Maiwada said a subsequent DNA test confirmed that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, prompting the process for its repatriation.
According to him, the gorilla was moved from Calabar to Lagos and subsequently airlifted to Congo aboard a DHL flight at no cost to the Service. It was accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.
The NCS said the operation was handled by its Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit, with support from the CITES Management Authority in the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.
The repatriation comes amid intensified efforts by the Service to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
Between January and September 2026, the SWO and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.
The seizures included 220kg of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05kg of worked ivory. In September alone, Customs officers intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks.
The rescued animals included pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.
The operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
The Customs Service, under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, thanked 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 support.
Maiwada said the Service was focused not only on revenue generation but also on national security and environmental protection.
He urged members of the public to report information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
