The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo after completing its first international full-cycle wildlife operation.

A statement on Wednesday by Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesman for the service, said Bili was repatriated from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, between Thursday and Monday following her rescue, rehabilitation and identification as a gorilla from Congo.

“The operation is the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and the safe return of a trafficked animal to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo,” he said.

He stated that it was pertinent to note that Bili was rescued in August 2023 by officers of the service during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation, Calabar, for rehabilitation.

Mr Maiwada said, “After a DNA test confirmed Bili is from the Republic of Congo, officials arranged his repatriation from Calabar to Lagos, then airlifted him to the Congo by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.”

He explained that the repatriation was supported by Nigeria’s CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The service said the gorilla is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.

The service noted that the operation demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to its international wildlife protection obligations and efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.

“Bili’s repatriation therefore represents the culmination of interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife.

“This repatriation comes amid intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trade,” he said.

Mr Maiwada said between January and September 2026, the SWO and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.

“The seizures included 220 kilograms of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilograms of worked ivory, alongside various live endangered and protected species intercepted across different locations,” he stressed.

He said the service’s enforcement operation covers Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations, adding that the rescued animals included pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.