The Swedish (Sweden) Government is set to return 40 artefacts taken from the Benin Kingdom during the 1897 Benin invasion. A delegation from the Benin Palace, led by Frank Irabor, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, is expected to receive the items in Lagos State.
Oba Ewuare II announced the development while receiving NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.). He said the return followed years of negotiations and efforts by previous Benin monarchs and his administration.
The monarch recalled discussing the artefacts with the King of Sweden while serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Scandinavian countries. He also expressed gratitude over their return, saying more artefacts were expected from Swedish .
