Management of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has cancelled any further preview event scheduled for Monday and opening on Tuesday.
This was after suspected thugs invaded its premises on Sunday and chased away foreign journalists, diplomats and tourists that attended the museum’s preview event.
The Sunday event was organised as an exclusive viewing for select investors, artists, and international dignitaries but heavy security presence could not prevent the thugs from gaining access into the premises and vandalising the place.
The thugs chanted war songs saying the Musuem was supposed to be named the Benin Royal Museum.
Spokesman for the protesters, Osaro Iyamu Culture, said MOWAA used clandestine means to open the museum to the public.
Local vendors, who were at the premises to sell palm wine, artistic pottery, local delicacies, were chased away by the thugs who tagged themselves Indigenous Benin Youths.
The foreign journalists and diplomats, including European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, the German Ambassador, and the Danish Ambassador were initially trapped inside the museum but were later taken out under heavy security presence.
In a statement on its official X handle, MOWAA urged those planning to travel to Benin for the MOWAA preview week, to suspend their travel plans unless they have other essential reasons to be in the city.
It advises those currently in Benin City against visiting the MOWAA campus until the situation has been resolved.
According to the statement: “Earlier today, a protest took place on the MOWAA campus in Benin City.
“The demonstration appeared to stem from disputes between the previous and current state administrations. While MOWAA was mentioned in the wider context of these grievances-alongside other development projects-we wish to emphasise that MOWAA is an independent, non-profit institution, of which the former governor has no interest financial or otherwise
“We are deeply grateful to all our guests-many of whom travelled long distances to be here for their understanding, patience, and resilience. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused, including interruptions to travel plans or scheduled visits. Your commitment to being with us means a great deal, and we regret that your experience today was disrupted.
“There will be no preview events on Monday 10 November and Tuesday 11 November.
“As a precaution, all guests were safely escorted to secure locations and supported in continuing their travels to hotels, airports, or other destinations in the city. The safety and well-being of our staff, visitors, and partners remains our highest priority. We are working closely with local authorities to address the situation.”
The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, had declared the the world recognised MOWAA as the Benin Royal Museum, and it must remain so.
He said the structure was originally conceived as the Benin Royal Museum, adding the vision was supported by foreign donors and intended to house the repatriated artifacts looted during the 1897 British invasion of Benin
