Wildlife Trafficking: Customs Records 22 Seizures, Rescues 699 Live Animals, Arrests 11 Suspects in 9 Months

..Completes First Full-Cycle International Wildlife Operation with Bili’s Return to Republic of Congo

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects between January and September 2026, as part of its enforcement operations against illegal wildlife trade.

The figures were recorded by the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and Customs Area Commands across the country, with seizures involving endangered and protected species and their products.

This development comes as the NCS completed its first full-cycle international wildlife operation with the return of Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo.

According to a statement signed on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, by the National Public Relations Officer and Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bili’s handover operation took place between 22 and 28 September 2026.

Bili

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

To him, the operation marked 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.

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

Maiwada said, following a DNA test which confirmed Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, arrangement were made for his movement from Calabar to Lagos.

“He was thereafter transported to the Congo by DHL at no cost and accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor,” he said.

The statement reads that the repatriation was supported by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) management authority, under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in line with the provision of CITES.

“The gorilla (Bili) is listed under Appendix I of CITES and is therefore afforded the highest level of protection as a species threatened with extinction,” the statement partly reads.

On enforcement activities recorded under wildlife trafficking, the Service said the seizures made between January and September 2026 include 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.

These operations, according to the NCS were carried out in areas including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna, and Lagos, among other locations.

“Notable interventions are 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 enforcement operation also led to arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, further demonstrating the Service’s sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade,” customs said.

The Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management team acknowledged the invaluable 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 for welcoming Bili home.

While reaffirming the Service resolve to its commitment to other responsibilities beyond revenue generation, the NCS stated that national security and protection of the environment is part of its statutory duty.

It urged members of the public to report any information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.