Sweden has returned 39 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, 129 years after British forces looted thousands of cultural artefacts from the Benin Kingdom during the 1897 invasion.

The artefacts were formally handed over to Nigeria at a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, November 12, by representatives of Sweden’s National Museums of World Culture. They will be received by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).

According to The Art Newspaper, the objects were among thousands taken by British troops who attacked and burned the Benin Kingdom before incorporating it into the British Empire.

The returned collection includes cultural objects known as Emwin Arre. However, six of the 39 artefacts will remain in Sweden under a 10-year loan arrangement.

Michael Barrett, curator for Africa at Sweden’s National Museums of World Culture, described the return as an important step towards addressing the colonial-era looting of cultural property.

The restitution adds to ongoing efforts to recover Benin artefacts held by foreign institutions. The Netherlands returned 119 objects to Nigeria in 2025, while Germany handed over 20 Benin Bronzes in 2022.

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A number of people have claimed that vegetable sellers are now refusing to slice vegetables for young female customers and would only agree to slice if the customer is a man.

This observation was first shared on Facebook by a man.

Michael Chinonso Udeozor shared his experience on Facebook, writing: “I noticed that these market women hardly slice vegetables for young girls.

“Each time I go to the market, I always slice my vegetables there. I’ll ask them before buying, and even the ones without knife will gladly borrow just to help me out. In short, on Saturday, I bought curry leaves and the woman picked it for me.

“However, the day I sent my female colleague to help me buy vegetables, no one agreed to slice it for her. They told her they don’t slice.

“I wonder why they do this.”

His followers responded with their own experiences. A number of women stated that they have experienced it too.

Taiye Victoria Adeoye wrote: “One asked that when I get married naso I go Dey do for my husband house??

“One asked me if a young girl like me doesn’t have knife at home. I don’t even understand them.”

Chioma Anayochukwu wrote: “I asked one to slice for me, she did so. I was waiting to collect it, her neighbor told me to go bring pot make she kukuma cook for me, I asked if she’s game because I really would like to bring it if possible. Na so she shut up.”

Olapeju Ige wrote: “Few tried it with me in ib here and I walked to the next, una dey craze. Make I dey prove wife material give una for market. Off the road abeg.”

The revelation has sparked a conversation on Facebook about double standards.

JD Njeb wrote: “The first time I experienced this was in the Uni. We had a seller called SWEET MAMA. The day I went to buy veggies, her sales girl told me they don’t slice for women only men.

“The second time was at the market. I asked the seller to slice for me (she had just finished slicing for a man). She looked at me and said ‘So make your fellow woman dey cut vegetable for you. Wetin do you?’

“I picked my things and went to another stand with her calling me lazy.

“When we talk about REPRESSED HATE, this is exactly what we mean. A lot of women don’t even know they hate themselves, not personally but the fact of their womanhood. You cannot love yourself when you believe you are a second fiddle to a man.”

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At least 14 people have met their sad demise and 30 others left injured after a multiple-vehicle pile-up in the United Arab Emirates.

The collision, involving 23 vehicles, triggered a devastating fire.

A truck driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle just before midnight on Thursday, November 12, colliding with another car before overturning and striking other vehicles.

The disaster unfolded on a highway experiencing “slow-moving traffic” near the entrance of the eastern emirate.

The impact of the truck sparked a fire which rapidly spread to other vehicles.

Emergency crews raced to the scene to bring the blaze under control.

Authorities confirmed the incident had resulted in a “heavy loss of life”, with DNA testing now underway to identify those who passed away.

Police confirmed that some of those slain were Emirati nationals.

India’s consulate in the UAE has also confirmed that Indian citizens are amongst the deceased. The consulate said it had contacted “bereaved families” and is co-operating with local authorities to offer assistance and support.

At least 30 people sustained injuries and were transported to hospital.

Authorities confirmed the injured are nationals of the UAE, Oman, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt.

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