By Onu Okorie

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo, marking what the Service described as its first international full-cycle wildlife enforcement operation.
The exercise, conducted between September 22 and 28, 2026, covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international repatriation of a trafficked endangered animal.
Bili was transported from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Congo, after DNA testing established that she originated from the country.
The operation was coordinated by the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit.
The gorilla was initially 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.
Following confirmation of her origin through DNA analysis, arrangements were made to move her from Calabar to Lagos for the international journey.
DHL subsequently airlifted Bili to Congo at no cost to the Service, with a caregiver and veterinary doctor accompanying her throughout the journey.
The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which affords them the highest level of protection because of the threat of extinction.
The Customs Service said Bili’s return demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to its obligations under CITES and reflected growing cooperation among enforcement agencies, conservation organisations and international partners in tackling wildlife trafficking.
699 live animals rescued
The repatriation comes against the backdrop of intensified Customs enforcement against illegal wildlife trade 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, in addition to several live endangered and protected species.
The enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
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, further highlighting the scale and variety of wildlife trafficking confronting enforcement authorities.
The Service said the arrests recorded during the operations were part of efforts to dismantle trafficking networks rather than merely seize endangered animals in transit.
Customs expands beyond revenue collection
The Bili operation also underscores the expanding role of the Customs Service beyond its traditional revenue-collection responsibilities.
Under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Service said it was strengthening its contribution to national security and environmental protection through specialised wildlife enforcement.
It said the successful repatriation of Bili represented the culmination of enforcement, animal rescue, rehabilitation, scientific identification and international cooperation.
The NCS acknowledged the 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 in ensuring the gorilla’s safe return.
The Service urged members of the public to provide information on suspected wildlife trafficking activities to the nearest Customs formation.
It said public cooperation remained critical to disrupting the illegal trade in endangered species and preventing Nigeria from being used as a transit route for trafficked wildlife.