Oba Ewuare II, the monarchy of Benin, revealed that a global cartel made a desperate attempt to re-loot the priceless items from the country as the kingdom applauded the return of 119 bronzes from the Netherlands.
The monarch described the incident as a historic cultural and diplomatic victory, which was made possible by the Benin Royal Court’s constant advocacy and the Nigerian Government’s formal engagement, during a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Benin City, Edo State.
“We had international cartel-backed organizations in this country who conspired to re-loot our artifacts.” They attempted to retake these treasures, but they were unsuccessful. Our ancestors kept them safe, Oba Ewuare said.
Key figures at the event, which took place on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, included Marieke van Bommel, the director-general of the Netherlands’ Wereld Museum, and the director-general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway.
The returned bronzes, which were originally looted in 1897 as a result of the British invasion of Benin, have been housed in Dutch collections for more than a century.
Their return was a result of a transfer agreement between the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, which was led by Minister Eppo Bruins.
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Oba Ewuare commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Edo State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making sure the artifacts were returned via fair and transparent means.
Additionally, he vehemently warned against political ambitions that threaten the kingdom’s cultural merit.
“We must not allow partisan politics to undermine our heritage.” Governor Monday Okpebholo, who is well-represented by Musa Ikhilor, the state government’s secretary, and for joining us for this historic celebration, he said.
The monarch praised Holloway for his moral character throughout the repatriation process, striking a direct contrast to his predecessor, who he claimed attempted to facilite the unsuccessful re-looting.
We engaged in a fierce combat to stop those who wanted to re-loot. He said to my Chiefs right here that he prefers the artefacts to be kept abroad rather than being re-looted while I ascend the throne.
Our ancestors rose and protected the Benin Kingdom, he continued, adding that there was once a government that sought to destabilize it.
Ikhilor, who spoke on behalf of the state government, described the return as “a historic triumph, 128 years in the making,” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the artefacts and providing the palace with the necessary infrastructure.
“The state feels pride in this,” the governor said. We are dedicated to constructing a dignified museum that not only preserves these treasures but also draws visitors to Benin, the birthplace of the African Bronze Age, “,” he said.
Van Bommel reiterated the Netherlands’ commitment to cultural restitution, saying that “we have returned these items in accordance with our cultural restitution policy. They should return to Benin City, where they were born.
The Dutch museum was responsible for the full cost of the artefacts’ return, according to NCMM Director-General Holloway in his remarks, calling the occasion “symbolic and historic.”
Source: Channels TV
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