By ZAKAA Lazarus
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo in its first international full-cycle wildlife operation covering interception, rescue, rehabilitation and return.
The National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the exercise took place from 22 to 28 September 2026, with Bili airlifted from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve, Pointe-Noire, Kouilou Department.
Bili was rescued in August 2023 during anti-wildlife trafficking operations and placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation, Calabar, for rehabilitation. A DNA test confirmed she originated from the Republic of Congo.
Maiwada said Bili was moved from Calabar to Lagos and airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor, in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Gorilla is listed under Appendix I of CITES as threatened with extinction.
The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
He said the feat underscores Nigeria’s commitment as a CITES signatory to protecting endangered species, noting that the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit will continue to disrupt trafficking networks.
Maiwada disclosed that between January and September 2026, the SWO and 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.
Other interventions across Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos led to the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, chimpanzees, 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September alone.
The Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended partners including Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, Aspinall Wildlife Trust, Federal Ministry of Environment and the Government of Congo, reaffirming that Customs is focused not only on revenue but on national security and environmental protection.
The Service urged the public to report illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
