Edo Police Rescue Foreign Diplomats, Other VIPs Caught In Mayhem At MOWAA’s Art Exhibition Following Disruption By Thugs

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It was a show of shame that attracted international opprobrium as suspected sponsored thugs Sunday morning invaded the premises of the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State where a private exhibition was going on with many foreign diplomats in attendance, causing fear and panic.

Among those caught in the melee were the Ambassadors of the European Union, Denmark and Germany to Nigeria as well as other very important guests, local and foreign, who were trapped inside the facility.

The event, organised as an exclusive viewing for select investors, artists, and international dignitaries, ended abruptly when an irate mob invaded the premises, hollering that the museum “belonged to the Oba of Benin.”

The attack by the hoodlums marked the anticlimax of the back and forth between the state government and the the palace of the Oba of Benin on the one hand, and the management of the museum over the ownership of MOWAA, which was originally conceived as the Benin Royal Museum to house the repatriated Benin artefacts looted during the 1897 British invasion, but was to metamorphose into private, non-profit organisation under the watch of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Eyewitnesses reported that the group arrived the venue brandishing dangerous weapons and unleashed mayhem on anyone in sight, destroyed properties in an attempt to access where the guests were seated.

Security personnel and event organisers acted swiftly to shield the guests and contain the situation before law enforcement authorities intervened. However, the brazen nature of the attack, particularly on a gathering attended by foreign envoys, has raised serious concerns about security, rule of law, and the safety of cultural institutions in Edo State.

Expectedly, the private exhibition ended unceremoniously with all dignitaries and guests smuggled out amid water-tight security provided by the police.

The incident has sparked outrage within both local and international communities, with many calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.

Confirming the incident in a press release on Sunday evening, the Edo State police command said normalcy had been restored after the disturbance.

 The police, in the statement signed by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, (DPPRO) Eno Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police, (ASP) titled: “Protest At Planned Launch of MOWAA: Police Restore Normalcy And Ensure Safety of All Participants”, said engagements were ongoing to address the grievances that led to the protest.

The statement read:

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that today Sunday, 9th November 2025, credible intelligence was received regarding a planned protest aimed at disrupting the official launch of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City. In response, the Command made adequate security deployment to the venue to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“The protesters were addressed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, thereby de-escalating the tension.

“Normalcy was immediately restored, while expatriates and other guests at the venue were safely evacuated to their respective hotels without any hitch.

“The Command assures the public that the situation is fully under control, and engagements are ongoing with relevant stakeholders to address any grievances through lawful and peaceful means.

“The Edo State Police Command remains committed to its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property, maintaining public peace, and ensuring that the rights of citizens are respected within the ambit of the law.

“The Command therefore urges members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear, as adequate security measures have been put in place across the state”.

Mum had however been the word by the Edo State government and the palace of the Oba of Benin over the unsavoury incident that seemed to have the imprimatur of the government.

Recall that Governor Monday Okpebholo had last Friday declared the controversy over EMOWAA ended citing an old video in which his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, was captured promising to build a Benin Royal Museum as a birthday gift to Oba Ewuare 11 during his second coronation anniversary on October 20, 2018, which also coincided with his birthday.