On June 21, 2020, five people were killed in a deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Magumeri, Borno State.
The assault happened during a period of heightened insecurity across northern Borno.
Witnesses said gunmen on motorcycles stormed the outskirts of Magumeri in the late afternoon, opening fire before setting fire to structures.
Security forces responded, and the attackers withdrew into surrounding bushland.
Borno State officials confirmed five civilians died in the attack. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the tactics matched Boko Haram’s pattern in the region. Several homes and shops were damaged.
Residents said the attack disrupted market activity and displaced families to Maiduguri.
The Nigerian Army said troops had been deployed to reinforce Magumeri and were pursuing the attackers. The Borno State government urged calm and pledged support for affected families.
Netherlands Returns 119 Benin Bronzes in Historic Lagos Handover
On June 21, 2025, the National Museum in Lagos hosted the repatriation of 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands, marking one of the largest single returns of Nigerian cultural heritage to date.
The plaques, sculptures, and ceremonial objects, taken during the 1897 British Expedition to Benin, had been held in Dutch museums and private collections for over a century.
The ceremony was attended by the Ministers of Culture and Tourism, representatives of the Dutch Embassy, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, and traditional chiefs of the Benin Kingdom. Prayers, libations, and Edo drumming marked the unveiling.
Officials described the event as “a milestone in cultural justice.” Following conservation treatment, the bronzes will be exhibited in Lagos before moving to the Edo Museum of West African Art in Benin City.
A Dutch diplomat noted the return reflects “acknowledging the past and building a new partnership based on respect.” NCMM confirmed talks for additional repatriations are ongoing.
