London's Horniman Museum has announced its decision to return to the Nigerian government artifacts that were removed by the British military in 1897. Among the items that will be returned are 12 bronze tablets known as the Benin Bronze.
The London Museum intends to return about 70 artifacts that were stolen in Benin City during the British military operation. The collection includes an altar, bells, fans and baskets. As for the bronze sculptures, they were created in the 16th century and were used to decorate the royal court in Benin.
In January 2022, the Nigerian National Commission submitted a formal request for the return of illegally removed artifacts. However, there is an amendment: some of the objects may still be left for research and then returned to the Nigerian government.
According to Eva Salomon, chairman of the museum's board of trustees, the evidence that in 1897 the artifacts were obtained by force does not require proof. Their return to Nigeria is a moral and very appropriate step.
The London Museum has followed in the footsteps of other museums that have returned stolen items: the University of Aberdeen and the Jesus College of the University of Cambridge, the French government. The same is in the plans of the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
