London museum to return 72 artefacts to Nigeria
A London museum says it has agreed to return to Nigeria artefacts looted in the 19th Century from the Kingdom of Benin.
The Horniman Museum said ownership of 72 objects would be transferred to the Nigerian government.
Items include 12 brass plaques, known as Benin Bronzes, a brass cockerel and a key to the king's palace.
It follows a request by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
For more on this story, Newsday spoke to Babatunde Adebiyi, legal advisor and coordinator of repatriation efforts at the NCMM. He made his feelings very clear: "We are exhilarated. We are very happy."
Mr Adebiyi explains more about the repatriation process and when Nigeria might expect to have the artefacts home - and where they might eventually be displayed.
(Photo: A square bronze pendant or ornament, one of the objects looted from Benin City by British soldiers in 1897. Credit: Horniman Museum and Gardens/Handout via REUTERS)
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