1903 Invasion: Sokoto Caliphate Seeks Return Of Looted Artefacts

After decades of atrocities, enslavement, exploitation and massacre committed to the people of Sokoto Caliphate in 1903 by colonial masters, the caliphate now seeks the return of all its looted historical artefacts by the colonial masters from France and United Kingdom.

Gatekeepers News reports that the looted intellectual, literary works, artefacts and relics of the Caliphate were said to be deeply rooted in the minds of the descendants of women, children and wounded persons who were indiscriminately killed or executed for their resistance to the colonial invasion.

This was disclosed in a letter of the declaration on the looted relics, addressed to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Lai Mohammed and signed by a member of the National Assembly, Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale Shuni and leaders of Five Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Sokoto.

The group requested a quick Intervention of the Minister to effect the return of the said historical objects.

The letter read, “there were deliberate colonial policies made to subvert and deny people of the Caliphate contextual fictional education, healthcare, commerce and housing as well as scanty employment opportunities through deliberate strangulation of the Caliphate cottage industries.”

The concerned group acting under the aegis of the project tagged SokotoDNA placed on NOTICE the countries responsible for the invasion and in possession of the Caliphate intellectual, literary works, artefacts and relics.

The letter further requested the unconditional return for restitution of all historical objects to their various original owners of the Caliphate.

The group also sought an apology from the colonial masters for unwarranted and unjustifiable atrocities committed against the people of the Caliphate.

It accused the two former colonial masters, the Republic of France and United Kingdom as mainly responsible for the invasion and illegal possession of the looted Caliphate historical artefacts.

According to the group, “The literary works are our irrevocable, unchanged changeable and distinctive DNA, an important part of our past, our history, our heritage, our pride and symbols of heroism and sacrifice of our forefathers and allowing them to relinquish in the museums of other nations robs us of our history, our pride and our divinity as a people.

“We are working with partners and institutions to create a catalogue of SOKOTO CALIPHATE’S CULTURAL, LITERARY AND RELIGIOUS RED LIST, that will contain all artefacts, relics and memorabilia looted from the Sokoto Caliphate and its Emirates during and after the illegal and unjustifiable invasion and colonialism”

“Our resolved in launching this campaign is powered by the good people of the Caliphate and it’s Emirates and further strengthened by UNESCO and ECOWAS conventions”

The group said the historical relics were looted or seized in places like Sokoto, Gwandu, Sifawa, Argungu, Zazzau, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Katagum, Binji, Kilgori , Yabo and Rikina/Dabagin Ardon Shuni among many other libraries of the Caliphate.

The letter added, ”What is it worth to seek the search and return of Caliphate Flags, Symbols and other Insignia of the State Authority, Seals and Staff of office? the answer is they are priceless and timeless pieces of high intellect, science, technology and Craftsmanship and advance social administrative and structure of governance of the people of the Caliphate, now and forever.”