Mexican authorities return 6th century statue to Nigeria

Mexican authorities on Tuesday, February 25, returned an ancient sculpture from 6th century southwestern Yoruba city of Ile-Ife to Nigeria.

The sculpture which shows a man wearing woven pants and a hat, sitting with his legs crossed and holding an instrument, was seized by customs agents at Mexico City airport as its buyer tried to bring it into the South-American country.

Diego Prieto, head of the agency said;

“Specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History determined that it was a piece of Yoruba origin.

“A beautiful bronze piece, and that being of Nigerian heritage, it should return to its home.”

Mexican foreign ministry also added;

“It was also determined that it had been illegally exported.”

Nigerian Ambassador, Aminu Iyawa also thanked the Mexican authorities over their effort in recovering the sculpture.