Customs repatriates rescued baby gorilla to Congo

By Stella Odueme

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated ‘Bili’, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo in what it described as its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.

The operation, which took place from September 22 to 28, 2026, involved the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and safe return of the trafficked gorilla to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, who signed the statement on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

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

Maiwada said a DNA test later confirmed that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, leading to arrangements for her repatriation from Calabar to Lagos and subsequent airlift to Congo by DHL at no cost.

He said the gorilla was accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor during the journey.

The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Maiwada noted that gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES and therefore receive the highest level of protection as species threatened with extinction.

He said Nigeria, as a signatory to CITES, remained committed to protecting endangered species and enforcing international wildlife protection obligations.

According to him, the Customs Special Wildlife Office (SWO), under the Customs Intelligence Unit, is strengthening its enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks while building partnerships to ensure rescued animals receive proper care and are safely returned to their appropriate destinations.

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