The German government yesterday officially handed over 22 stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria looted by the Germans 125 years ago during the colonial era.
The return is part of an agreement signed by Nigeria and Germany in July in Berlin, the German capital.
Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and culture returned with two artifacts in July after the signing of the agreement, and another 20 were brought back by the German delegation currently visiting Nigeria.
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Foreign Minister, said at the handover event in Abuja yesterday that it was not just wrong to take them but also wrong to keep them. She described the stealing of the artifacts as a story in which Germany played a dark role in causing tremendous suffering in different parts of Africa.
