United Kingdom – London Museum to Return Looted Works to Nigeria

Seventy-two artefacts looted during the 1897 British military incursion into Benin will be returned to Nigeria, London’s Horniman Museum announced on Sunday.

These works and objects include 12 brass plaques known as the Benin Bronzes, or ceremonial objects in ivory and brass, everyday objects such as fans and baskets, as well as a key from the “king’s palace”.

“Clear Evidence”

The renovation responds to a request made in January by the National Commission of Museums and Monuments of Nigeria, whose director-general, Professor Abba Dijani, welcomed the decision of the London establishment.

“The evidence was very clear that these objects were obtained by force, and external consultation confirmed our view that it was moral and appropriate to return their property to Nigeria,” said Eve Solomon, chairman of the museum’s administrators.

He will now discuss with the Nigerian Commission the formal process of transfer of ownership and the possibility of some objects being on loan, for display or for research or teaching purposes.

A planned museum

Nigeria has negotiated with several European countries to return the Benin bronzes and plans to build a museum in Benin City in southern Edo State. In November, France returned to Nigeria’s neighboring Benin, 26 works from the royal treasures of Abomey (South) looted by French colonial troops in 1892. Earlier this year, England returned a bronze rooster and a king’s head to Nigeria.

In addition, Greece has been asking the United Kingdom for decades for the friezes of the famous ancient Parthenon temple in Athens, which are on display at the British Museum in London. He recently said he was open to a deal with Greece to share them.

AFP

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