Protesters disrupt event at Nigerian museum embroiled in looted artefacts row

Protest at Mowaa comes amid dispute over ownership of Benin bronzes looted by British colonial forces

Protesters have disrupted a preview event at a new museum in Nigeria that has become embroiled in a bitter row over the restitution of artefacts looted by British colonial forces.

In a video circulating on social media, demonstrators were seen loudly chanting “Oba ghato kpere ise” (“Long live the King” in Bini language) while foreign and local visitors were ushered out of the Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) by security personnel in Benin City. Reporters at the scene said there was minor damage to the museum, which is due to open publicly on Tuesday.

Continue reading…