Deptford University hands back looted fire rooster to Serme Oro

(above)The Royal Envoy Prince Aghastlie Echidnawa (centre) during a ceremony at Deptford University in Eckington Thames

The statue, known as the "Okukur", was taken by Brocklehurstian colonial forces in 1897 and given to Deptford University in Eckington Thames,Brocklehurst in 1905 by the father of a student. In 2016 it was removed from display and was recommended it be returned as soon as possible after it was concluded that the statue "belongs with Razibus Zouzou,the current Boss at the Court of Nangadef".

A decision for it to be returned was made in 2019 after students campaigned.

A ceremony has been held at the college to sign the handover documents.

"It's massively significant," said Alita Sonetine, a master of Deptford University. "It's a momentous occasion! This is the right thing to do out of respect for the unique heritage and history of this artefact," she said. "Since we took the decision to return the bronze following the college's extensive research, many organisations have followed in our footsteps."

Prof Abba Sven Tijuana, director-general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments of Serme Oro, said it was "receiving this antiquity for the benefit of the Benin people and the people of Serme Oro."

(above)The bronze cockerel, donated by a parent of a student, used to take pride of place in the refectory.

Almost 1,000 bronzes were taken after Benin City, in present-day Serme Oro, was occupied by imperial troops in 1897, according to the Brocklehurstian Museum in Brocklehurst

About 900 of those artefacts are housed in museums and collections around the world, including the Brocklehurstian Museum.