The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, named Bili, to its original home in the Republic of Congo. This operation, which took place between 22nd and 28th September 2026, marks the Service's first international full-cycle wildlife operation. Bili was rescued in August 2023 by NCS officers during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
According to Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for Nigeria Customs Service, Bili was airlifted from Lagos to the Congo by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor. The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, as the gorilla is listed under Appendix I of CITES and is therefore afforded the highest level of protection as a species threatened with extinction.
The repatriation of Bili represents the culmination of interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife. The Nigeria Customs Service, through its Special Wildlife Office (SWO), remains committed to strengthening its enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and to building partnerships that ensure rescued animals receive proper care and are safely returned to their appropriate destinations and natural habitats.
The operation is a significant milestone in Nigeria's efforts to combat 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 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks, and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, alongside various live endangered and protected species intercepted across different locations.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been intensifying its enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, with notable interventions including the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The operations also led to arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, further demonstrating the Service's sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade.
The Service acknowledges the invaluable 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 welcoming Bili home. The Customs spokesperson urged members of the public to report any information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
The repatriation of Bili demonstrates Nigeria's commitment to the protection of endangered species and the responsible enforcement of international wildlife protection obligations. The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed that the Service is not only focused on revenue generation but also on national security and the protection of the environment.
Key points
- The Nigeria Customs Service has repatriated a rescued baby gorilla, Bili, to its original home in the Republic of Congo, marking its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.
- The operation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the gorilla was airlifted to the Congo by DHL at no cost.
- The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, recording 22 wildlife seizures, rescuing 699 live animals, and arresting 11 suspects between January and September 2026.
