The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has expressed profound gratitude to God Almighty, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Monday Okpebholo for ensuring the return of 119 looted Benin bronzes from the Netherlands. The monarch revealed that an international art cartel had attempted to re-loot the priceless artefacts, but their efforts were thwarted.

“We fought a running battle to stop those bent on re-looting. I told my Chiefs right here that I would rather the artefacts remain abroad than be re-looted while I sit on the throne,” Oba Ewuare II stated firmly. “There were groups in this country, backed by an international cartel, who conspired to re-loot our artefacts. They hatched a strategy to steal these treasures again, but they failed. Our ancestors protected them.”

The artefacts, originally plundered during the infamous British invasion of 1897, were officially received on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at a symbolic ceremony held at the Oba’s palace. The ceremony was attended by the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr. Olugbile Holloway, and the Director-General of Wereld Museum, Ms. Marieke van Bommel, who led a delegation from the Netherlands and Abuja to formally return the artefacts to their ancestral home.

Oba Ewuare II commended NCMM DG Olugbile Holloway for his committed role in the repatriation process, while drawing a sharp contrast with Holloway’s predecessor, whom he accused of complicity in the failed re-looting attempt. “Your predecessor in the National Commission for Museums and Monuments was part of that conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts,” the monarch stated.

The Oba also warned against modern political interests seeking to erode the cultural dignity of the Benin people. “We must not allow partisan politics to diminish our heritage,” he emphasized.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Musa Ikhilor, reaffirmed Edo State Government’s commitment to preserving the artefacts and supporting the palace in building robust infrastructure for their conservation. “This is a moment of pride for the State, a historic triumph, 128 years in the making,” Ikhilor said. “We are committed to ensuring that a befitting museum is built – one that does not only protect these treasures but also attracts the world to Benin, the cradle of African bronze civilization.”

Ms. Marieke van Bommel reiterated her country’s policy on repatriation of looted cultural heritage, stating that the 119 returned artefacts had been in Dutch collections for over a century. “These items were undoubtedly looted, and we have returned them in accordance with our cultural restitution policy,” she said.

NCMM Director-General, Holloway, described the occasion as both symbolic and historic, noting that the repatriation took several years of negotiations. “The Dutch museum bore all costs associated with the return,” he added. An official signing ceremony between Nigeria and the Netherlands will hold on June 21st at the National Museum in Lagos.