An artefact, Esie statute, which was stolen from Nigeria in 2011, but seized by Custom Officials at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, has been returned to by the French Government, CEOAFRICA news gathered.

The Esie Statue is believed to be between 500 to 900 years old, and is from Kwara state, in Nigeria.

Speaking at a symbolic handover of the artefact held to mark the French National Day in Abuja, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Jaques Chapagne de Labriolle said the artefact was returned in line with French stance against trafficking in art works and historical items.

Mr. Labriolle, who also handed over the restitution documents to the Director-General of the National Museum and Monuments Commission, Dr. Abdalla Usman, described the statue as one of the great anthropologic value, while recalled that five items of Nok origin were returned to Nigeria in February this year by the French government.

Furthermore, the French envoy disclosed that the trade volume between the two countries has reached $6 billion annually, as Air France had also recorded so much success after commencing direct flight between Abuja and Paris in 2012.

The French envoy said, “French businessmen would visit Nigeria in October this year to access the potentials for their business. I have no doubt they would be interested provided appropriate environment is guaranteed.”