Tension erupted on Sunday at the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, after suspected thugs invaded the facility, vandalised properties, and ordered international investors and tourists to vacate the site.
The violent incident came just hours after MOWAA hosted a well-attended preview event that drew tourists and art enthusiasts from across the world.
According to videos circulating online, the hoodlums stormed the museum’s 15-acre campus, situated within the historic heart of Benin City, destroying structures and threatening staff and visitors. The motive behind the attack remains unclear as of press time.
Earlier in the day, the museum’s curator, Aindrea Emelife, had addressed guests during the preview, highlighting the progress made on the ambitious cultural project aimed at preserving and celebrating West Africa’s rich artistic heritage.
“We’ve made significant progress on the project, and MOWAA represents not just a museum, but a living institution dedicated to the arts, history, and future of West Africa,” Emelife told the gathering.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation on social media.
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