BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
In line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has flown a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo.
The exercise was conducted through the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), marking the Custom’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.
Recall 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.
After a DNA test confirmed that 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.
The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, as gorilla is listed under Appendix I of CITES and is therefore afforded the highest level of protection as species threatened with extinction.
Also, as a signatory to CITES, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of endangered species and the responsible enforcement of international wildlife protection obligations.
National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada said in Abuja, that the Service remains committed to strengthening its enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and to build partnerships that enable rescued animals to receive proper care and are safely returned to their appropriate destinations and natural habitats.
Bili's repatriation represents the culmination of interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife.
This followed intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, as 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 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, alongside various live endangered and protected species intercepted across different locations.
But the enforcement operations during the period included seizures and rescues in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna, and Lagos, among other locations.
Maiwada disclosed that notable interventions 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.
He pointed out that the operations also led to arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, further demonstrating the Service’s sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade.
Maiwada hinted that the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team acknowledged the invaluable support of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Government of the Republic of Congo for welcoming Bili home.
He reaffirmed that the Service is not only focused on revenue generation but also on national security and the protection of the environment, encouraging members of the public to report any information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
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