NCS Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla Bili to Congo After Three Years in Nigeria

By Stella Okocha 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo after three years of rehabilitation in Nigeria, marking the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation.

The repatriation exercise, conducted between September 22 and 28, 2026, was coordinated by the Customs Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU).

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

Following a DNA test that confirmed the gorilla’s origin as the Republic of Congo, arrangements were made for her return to the country.

Bili was transported from Calabar to Lagos and subsequently flown to the Republic of Congo by DHL at no cost. She was accompanied throughout the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.

She was returned to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.

The repatriation was carried out in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with support from the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.

The Customs Service said Bili’s return represents the completion of a full enforcement cycle involving interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international repatriation, supported by cooperation among Nigerian authorities, conservation organisations and the government of the Republic of Congo.

The repatriation comes amid intensified Customs enforcement against illegal wildlife trafficking across Nigeria.

Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office and various Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects, according to the Service.

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 locations including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos.

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 as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.

The Service said the operations also resulted in arrests linked to wildlife trafficking and reinforced its efforts to dismantle networks involved in the illegal trade in protected species.

The NCS, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, 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 said its mandate extends beyond revenue collection to include national security, environmental protection and enforcement of international obligations relating to endangered wildlife.

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

The Service also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships and intelligence-led enforcement to prevent the illegal movement of endangered species while ensuring that rescued animals receive appropriate care and are returned safely to their countries of origin.