72 Looted Benin Bronzes that were stolen by British troops in 1897 will be returned to Nigeria by The Horniman Museum in South-east London.

The Horniman Museum in South-east London will be returning 72 of its Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The ownership of the artefacts were officially handed to the Nigerian government in a ceremony on Monday.

Six objects which are being returned first, include two Benin Bronze plaques from the royal palace. In February 1897, the items were taken by British troops from Benin City.

Nick Merriman, director of the Horniman Museum, told the BBC: "There was no doubt they'd been looted - so there was a moral argument for their return.

"I think we're seeing a tipping point around not just restitution and repatriation, but museums acknowledging their colonial history - and that's better history, I think."

He also 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."

Speaking about the British Museum, which has reportedly held over 900 items for over a century, Professor Tijani stated: "I keep on appealing to them to really look at this (return of items) and let us discuss. At the end of the day, they will still have some objects on loan which they will continue to display."