Customs Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla to Republic of Congo

Customs Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla to Republic of Congo

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo.

The operation, conducted between September 22 and 28, 2026, marked the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and safe return of a trafficked animal to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.

Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.

Following a DNA test which confirmed that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, arrangements were made for her repatriation from Calabar to Lagos before she was airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost. She was accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.

The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES and therefore receive the highest level of protection as species threatened with extinction.

The Customs Service said the successful repatriation demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment, as a signatory to CITES, to protecting endangered species and enforcing international wildlife protection obligations.

The operation also comes amid intensified efforts by the Service to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office (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 Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.

Other notable interventions during the period included the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as the interception of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September.

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 Bili’s safe return.

The Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, reaffirmed that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection.

The NCS also urged members of the public to report information concerning illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.

The statement was signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer for the Comptroller-General of Customs, dated September 30, 2026.

Customs Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla to Republic of Congo