The Netherlands said on Wednesday that it was returning more than 100 “Benin Bronzes” to Nigeria, which British troops looted in the late 19th century and ended up in a Dutch museum.
It stated this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the move followed a request by the Nigerian government, noting that the 113 pieces are the biggest haul returned to Nigeria from the 1897 raid.
Director General of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway said the transfer agreement will be signed on Wednesday by the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Eppo Bruins, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“At the request of Nigeria, the Netherlands is returning 113 ‘Benin Bronzes’ from the National Collection. Minister Eppo Bruins (OCW) has decided to return them,” the statement read.
“With this return, we are contributing to the redress of a historical injustice that is still felt today,” said Dutch Culture, Education, and Science Minister Eppo Bruins.
The Netherlands’ return of these artefacts follows similar ones by other countries, such as Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
British soldiers stole the ancient sculptures, including depictions of royal figures and animals, in 1897 from the Kingdom of Benin in modern-day Nigeria.
However, the British Museum in London has refused to return any of its famed collection. A law passed in 1963 technically prevents the museum from giving back the treasures.
