'Moral and appropriate': Museum begins return of artefacts looted by British troops

Six artefacts stolen by British troops more than a century ago are being returned to their place of origin in Nigeria.

Two Benin bronzes are among the objects being returned by the Horniman Museum in southeast London - a move it has described as "moral and appropriate".

A total of 72 pieces in the museum's collection will be returned, following a request in January from Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

The remaining 66 artefacts will remain in the UK on loan for now, but they will be returned to Nigeria on a date to be decided.

Ownership of all the items was transferred to Nigerian officials at a ceremony on Monday, roughly 125 years after they were taken by force from Benin City.

Nick Merriman, chief executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, was asked if he was frustrated at the reluctance shown by the much larger British Museum when it comes to handing over the 900 objects it has held for more than a century.

He said: "Journalists who ask me about the Benin return always want to ask me about the British Museum.

"I would rather talk about what an excellent example the Horniman is, rather than answer questions about the British Museum."

Professor Abba Tijani, the NCMM's director-general, said around 5,000 Benin bronzes are currently "scattered" around the world and he is hopeful that talks with a number of institutions could see their return.

Regarding the items in the British Museum, he said: "I keep on appealing to them to really look at this (return of items) and let us discuss."

But he said he felt "relief" knowing the items from the Horniman are being returned, adding: "I feel that the right thing has been done and the Benin people and Africa have the opportunity to see and interact with these objects that they have not been able to do for many decades."

The six objects being returned by the Horniman Museum are:

• A brass plaque depicting Oba Orhogbua (circa 1550-1578) holding a staff representing authority and power, and with Iwu, royal tattoos
• A brass plaque depicting Agban, the Ezomo (deputy commander in chief of the Benin army), towards the end of the reign of Oba Orhogbua (circa 1550-1578) and the start of the reign of Oba Ehengbuda (circa 1578-1608)
• A brass hip ornament depicting a face or mask
• An ivory staff of office depicting a carved relief figure of an Oba
• An ivory arm cuff carved with heads and abstract shapes, part of royal regalia
• A carved wooden box frame, likely for holding a mirror

Museum founder Frederick Horniman bought the items from Mr WJ Hider, CBS Royal Navy, in 1897.

Mr Hider accompanied General Rawson's military incursion into Benin City a month earlier, and was involved in the looting, the museum said.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said some museums are subject to legislation stopping them from permanently removing or deaccessioning items from their collections, whereas others, which are charities such as the Horniman, are allowed to do so.

A spokesman said: "Museums and galleries in the UK operate independently of government. Therefore decisions relating to the care and management of their collections are a matter for the trustees of each museum.

"The Horniman Museum and Gardens is not prevented by law from deaccessioning items, so it is up to the trustees of the museum to decide on their collections."