By Julius Peter, Abuja

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 operation involving the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and safe return of a trafficked animal to its country of origin.

The operation, which took place between September 22 and 28, 2026, was coordinated by the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO), under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), with Bili transported from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in the Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.

According to the NCS, the repatriation represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and strengthen international cooperation in the protection of endangered species.

Bili was initially rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking. Following her rescue, she was placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State, where she underwent rehabilitation and received specialised care.

Subsequently, a DNA examination established that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for arrangements to return her to her country of origin.

The NCS said Bili was subsequently moved from Calabar to Lagos ahead of her international journey. She was then airlifted to the Republic of Congo by DHL at no cost to the Service, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor to ensure her welfare and safety throughout the journey.

The repatriation was undertaken 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.

Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which affords the species the highest level of protection because of the serious threats posed to their survival and the international trade pressures affecting them.

The Customs Service said the successful return of Bili demonstrated the importance of coordinated national and international action in tackling wildlife trafficking, particularly where rescued animals require rehabilitation and eventual return to their appropriate destination.

As a signatory to CITES, Nigeria has international obligations to regulate and prevent illegal trade in endangered wildlife. The NCS said its Special Wildlife Office would continue to strengthen enforcement capacity and deepen collaboration with relevant domestic and international organisations to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks.

The Service added that Bili’s repatriation was not an isolated intervention but the culmination of a process that began with her interception during a trafficking operation and continued through rescue, rehabilitation, identification, international coordination and eventual repatriation.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of intensified enforcement by the NCS against illegal wildlife trafficking across the country.

The Service disclosed that between January and September 2026, its Special Wildlife Office and various Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects in connection with wildlife-related offences.

Among the items seized during the period were 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 seizures and rescue operations were carried out in different parts of the country, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.

The interventions involved the rescue of several species, including pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.

In September alone, Customs officers intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks, further highlighting the scale and diversity of wildlife trafficking activities being targeted by the Service.

The NCS said arrests made during the enforcement operations had also helped to demonstrate its sustained efforts to identify and disrupt individuals and networks involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

The Service said the successful repatriation of Bili also underscored the broader responsibilities of Customs beyond revenue collection and trade facilitation.

Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Service said it remained committed to supporting national security, environmental protection and the enforcement of international conventions relating to endangered species.

The NCS 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 successful repatriation.

The Service particularly recognised the cooperation of the Congolese authorities in receiving Bili back into the country and facilitating her return to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga.

The NCS said partnerships such as these were essential because wildlife trafficking frequently operates across national borders, requiring coordinated action among customs administrations, environmental agencies, conservation organisations, veterinary professionals and foreign governments.

It therefore urged members of the public to provide information on suspected cases of illegal wildlife trafficking to the nearest Customs formation.

The Service said such public cooperation would complement enforcement efforts and contribute to the protection of endangered species and Nigeria’s environmental heritage.

Bili’s journey—from being rescued during a Customs enforcement operation in Nigeria in 2023, through rehabilitation and scientific identification, to her eventual return to the Republic of Congo in 2026—has consequently provided a practical example of how enforcement, conservation, international cooperation and animal welfare can combine to address the growing challenge of illegal wildlife trafficking.