- Elated Oba of Benin Thanks Tinubu, Buhari
By Abiola Olawale
The government of Netherlands has repatriated 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, handing them over to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
These treasures, looted during the British invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897, were received at a ceremony at the royal palace in Benin City, Edo state, on June 18, 2025.
This also makes it the largest number of looted artefacts returned to the Benin kingdom since the 1897 invasion.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba, Osaigbovo Iguobaro on Thursday.
In the statement, Iguobaro revealed that the returned artefacts from Wereld Museum in Netherlands includes a Bird (Ahianmwen), wooden ancestral head, warrior King, cock (Okpa).
He said the Netherlands delegation team lead, Marieke Van Bommel, expressed solidarity with the Oba stating that the ceremony represents a historic moment that will further strengthen Diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and Nigerian government and also informed the monarch that there was no other Benin artefact in that country.
The statement quoted Oba Ewuare II as thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for their efforts.
He was quoted as saying: “I want to thank President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for supporting and committing to the effort of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari in this quest in ensuring that our artefacts are not re-looted.
“I believe there were groups in this Country – Nigeria that acted with international cartels with all sorts of conspirators against the return of Benin Bronzes.
“Today, the boldness, the courage of our Benin people is still there.
“Your predecessor in the National Commission for Museums and Monuments was part of that conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. Being trained in America, I tell you as it is. These artefacts belong to my Benin ancestors.
“I will not sit here on the ancient throne of my ancestors and let them be re-looted.
“I thank the government of the Netherlands for working with us. For being touched in their hearts to return these treasured artefacts. This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirits of my people, and make them courageous again.
“You know the history of Benin that is reduced to Edo South Senatorial District and others. Then, there was a government in Edo State that tried to reduce it further. That government wanted, but God did not allow it.”
