The 72 items were looted from Benin City in 1897, during a British military invasion of Nigeria. Artifacts include the Benin Bronzes, consisting of 12 brass plaques, as well as ritual objects, a key “to the king’s palace”, brass bells and a brass rooster altar piece. The repatriation comes after the Horniman Museum in south-east London received a request from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in January. He then undertook some research into the request and consulted with the local community, school children, academics and historians, as well as artists based in Nigeria and the UK, to get their views on what would happen to the collection . Eve Salomon, chairperson of trustees of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said: “The evidence is very clear that these objects were obtained by force and external consultation has supported our view that it is ethical and right to return their ownership to Nigeria. “Horniman is pleased to take this step and we look forward to working with the NCMM to ensure long-term care for these precious objects.” Professor Abba Tijani, director general of the NCMM, added: “We very much welcome this decision by the trustees of the Horniman Museum and Gardens. “Following the approval of the Charity Commission, we look forward to a productive discussion about loan agreements and partnerships between the National Museums and Monuments Commission and Horniman.” Image: Oku’Oba from the collection. Photo: Horniman Museum and Gardens The museum says it will now look at how to safely return the objects and discuss the possibility of keeping some of them on loan for research and education. It comes after the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, last year made a request directly to Boris Johnson for the return of the Elgin Marbles – a set of 2,500-year-old sculptures used to decorate the Parthenon in Greece, which Lord acquired. Elgin in the early 19th century. The British Museum has so far refused to hand them back to Greece, despite repeated appeals for them.
