The Netherlands returned 119 Benin Bronzes—human and animal figures, plaques, and regalia—looted in 1897 by British forces. This significant repatriation, the largest single return to date, fulfills a Nigerian request and follows similar actions by museums in London and Rhode Island. The artifacts, primarily from Leiden’s museum, were returned in Edo State with the Oba Ewuare II calling it a “divine intervention.” The Dutch government’s commitment to returning colonial-era artifacts continues, with Nigeria actively pursuing the recovery of further looted items.
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Last week’s attack in northern Benin, near the Burkina Faso and Niger borders, resulted in the deaths of 54 Beninese soldiers, a figure significantly higher than initially reported. The al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, marking the deadliest assault on Beninese forces since the start of the decade. This revised death toll underscores the escalating jihadist threat in the region, prompting the government to reaffirm its commitment to combating the insurgency. Despite the heavy losses, Benin’s government remains resolute in its fight against these groups.
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The Netherlands will return over 100 Benin Bronzes, looted from Nigeria in 1897, to their country of origin. This repatriation, the largest of its kind, involves artifacts from the Wereldmuseum and represents a significant step towards rectifying a historical injustice. The returned items, including sculptures and carvings dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, hold immense cultural and spiritual value for the people of Edo State. This action is expected to pressure other institutions, particularly the British Museum, to follow suit and return their own collections of Benin Bronzes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker