The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11 on Wednesday recounted the battle he fought to foil attempts by an international art cartel to re-loot some returned Benin artefacts stolen during the infamous British invasion of 1897.
Speaking at a symbolic ceremony held at his palace when the Government of Netherlands, in a resounding cultural and diplomatic victory, returned 119 looted Benin bronzes to the ancient kingdom, a visibly ecstatic Oba Ewuare said the return was made possible through sustained advocacy by the Benin Royal Court and formal diplomatic requests from the Nigerian Government.
Present at the momentous event were 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.
The Dutch authorities, through their Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, signed transfer agreements facilitated by Minister Eppo Bruins and Nigeria’s NCMM Director General, Mr. Holloway. The artefacts were officially received on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, amid widespread jubilation across the Kingdom.
Oba Ewuare 11 thanked President Bola Tinubu “for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artefacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts”.
According to the Oba, “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”.
“They tried to extinguish the spirit and morale of the Benin people. But the people of this great kingdom have remained bold, brave, and courageous, even after the tragedy of 1897.”
Warning against modern political interests seeking to erode the cultural dignity of the Benin people, Oba Ewuare 11 said, “We must not allow partisan politics to diminish our heritage. I thank Governor Monday Okpebholo, ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor for joining us in this historic celebration.
Full of commendation for the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, (NCMM) Olugbile Holloway for his committed role in the repatriation process, the royal father drew a sharp contrast with his predecessor, whom he accused of complicity in the failed re-looting attempt.
He reminisced: “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. I thank the government of Netherlands for working with us. This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.
“After 1897, the kingdom was reduced. There was a government in this state that wanted to reduce the kingdom more and scatter it. I am angry when I speak about it. The youths were courageous; and like the youths of those days, they were not afraid of anybody. I vowed that it would not happen. Not in my reign. Not while I am sitting on this throne. God heard my prayers; my ancestors heard my prayers. This throne is not partisan, but I should support what is good for my people.
“I urge the youths to be tough and strong in the face of adversity. This is not for anybody else. It is for my ancestors.”
The Benin Monarch further prayed with his official sceptre directing the artefacts to return more artefacts.