Oba of Benin Discloses Plot to Reloot 119 Stolen Artefacts Returned from Netherlands

Strategic Insights -

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11, has revealed that an international cartel had plotted to re-loot 119 stolen artefacts returned from the Netherlands. The Oba, who received the artefacts in his palace in Benin City, attributed the failure of the plot to his prayers to God and the ancestors. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the efforts of former President Buhari to prevent the re-looting of the artefacts.

The Oba also commended the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, for his efforts in ensuring the safe return of the artefacts. He assured that the Benin Royal Palace and the NCMM are working together to retrieve more artefacts.

The Governor of Edo State, represented by Secretary to State Government, Musa Ikhilor, pledged to collaborate with the federal government to improve the storage system for the artefacts and build necessary infrastructure to preserve them. General Director of Wereldmuseum, Netherlands, Marieke Van Bommel, confirmed that the returned artefacts are looted and that the Netherlands has a policy to retrieve them. She stated that the 119 artefacts returned are all the collections in the Netherlands and that there are more collections in Europe.

Key Takeaways:

  • An international cartel had plotted to re-loot 119 stolen artefacts returned from the Netherlands.
  • The Oba of Benin attributed the failure of the plot to his prayers to God and the ancestors.
  • President Bola Tinubu supported the efforts of former President Buhari to prevent the re-looting of the artefacts.
  • The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, is working to retrieve more artefacts.
  • The Governor of Edo State has pledged to improve the storage system and build necessary infrastructure to preserve the artefacts.
  • General Director of Wereldmuseum, Netherlands, Marieke Van Bommel, confirmed that the returned artefacts are looted and that the Netherlands has a policy to retrieve them.

Statistics:

  • 119 artefacts were returned from the Netherlands.
  • The artefacts have been with the Netherlands for over 100 years.
  • The artefacts are treasured monuments and sacred objects that require a safe space for preservation.
  • Edo State government will collaborate with the federal government to improve the storage system.
  • The NCMM and the Benin Royal Palace are working together to retrieve more artefacts.

Sources:

  • The Guardian Nigeria
  • Edo State Government
  • National Commission for Museums and Monuments
  • Wereldmuseum, Netherlands