RADIO NIGERIA
The Federal Government has recieved an artifact that was stolen from the country from the Netherlands authorities.
While handing over the item to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.Geoffrey Onyeama in Abuja, the Charge D Affairs of the Nigerian Embassy in Netherlands, Mr. Kabiru Musa explained that the artifact which dated back to 15 century was intercepted in 2018.
He said the artifact left the country unaccompanied and was addressed to a private citizen but was intercepted by the Dutch authorities who acted on a tip off.
Mr. Kabiru said apart from the one returned to the country, more would be returned through collaboration with the Netherlands authorities.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama said the artifact would be formally handed over to the Minister of Information and Culture next week.
He appreciated the dutch government for taking a proactive step to intercept the stolen artifact.
The artifact which was concealed in a wooden box could not be opened for the media, as a result of its fragility, but would be opened next week by expert from the National Commission for Museums and monuments during presentation to the Minister of Information and Culture.