Netherlands Returns Looted Benin Artefact 129 Years After British Invasion
The Netherlands has returned a historical Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in efforts to reclaim the kingdom’s looted cultural heritage.
The artefact was formally presented at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City on Tuesday, October 20, as part of activities commemorating the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.
Chairman of the anniversary committee and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Chief Lucky Imasue, said the Netherlands had initiated the return of artefacts taken from the kingdom during the invasion.
Imasue described the return as a landmark development, insisting that every Benin artefact belonged to the Oba, irrespective of the number of items recovered. He expressed optimism that more historical objects would be returned.
The presentation was made by the Netherlands’ Consul-General, Frank Keurnors, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands.
According to Imasue, the October 20 presentation was particularly significant because it coincided with the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary, coming 129 years after the looting of valuable objects from the kingdom.
He explained that the artefacts preserved important records of the Benin monarchy, its cultural heritage and the way of life of the people before the 1897 invasion.
He noted that successive Obas had pursued efforts to recover the stolen objects, but the campaign gained momentum under Oba Ewuare II, whose diplomatic experience as a former Nigerian ambassador helped advance the process.
Imasue added that the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognises that the artefacts were taken from the Oba’s Palace and should be returned to their original home.
He expressed appreciation to the Dutch government and people for returning the artefact and choosing the monarch’s coronation anniversary for the presentation.
The ceremony was also attended by Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos.
In his anniversary address, Oba Ewuare II commended the Netherlands for returning the historical object after more than a century and thanked the Portuguese ambassador and Dutch consul-general for attending the occasion.
The monarch also expressed his desire to strengthen cultural and historical relations with Portugal, recalling the country’s historical influence on the Benin Kingdom, including the establishment of the Holy Aruosa Church during the Portuguese era.
He explained that his forefathers had explored Catholicism while maintaining their traditional beliefs, leading to the establishment of a church whose practices and regalia reflected Catholic influences.
“The Benin kingdom maintains its traditional spiritual portals of communication with Almighty God,” the monarch said.
Oba Ewuare II further recalled his experience as Nigeria’s ambassador in Rome, where he learnt of efforts by the Vatican to recognise African traditional religions.
He also praised van Bormann for her commitment to the artefact recovery process and for helping achieve the set objective.
The return represents another step in the broader campaign to recover Benin artefacts taken during the 1897 British punitive expedition, many of which remain in museums and private collections outside Nigeria.
