Beyond The Legend: Historical And Cultural Perspectives
BY THEOPHILUS KEME
The labor of our heroes past” was a formidable stanza of the former Nigerian National Anthem. It precisely recognizes the patriarchal journey that helped our nation find its footing and unite us despite our ethnic diversities. This article does not intend to marginalize any people or region, nor does it aim to glorify the circumstances that led the personality in focus to become an exemplary leader worthy of recognition alongside the fourth stanza of the National Anthem.
Rather, this is a tribute to a true son of the soil, a devoted citizen, and a stout soldier who, as a Nigerian Army Brigadier and Civil War commander, diligently and selflessly committed himself to maintaining law and unity, as ordered by his superiors. Well, some orders did he questioned.
PROFILE OF A WAR LORD
Born in June 1936 in Kaduna, Brigadier General Benjamin Adekunle was the fifth of six children in a polygamous family. Legend has it that his unconventional approach to life might be due to his prolonged stay in his mother’s womb and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his birth.
After his passing, 10 years later, in remembrance his family urges the country, the Federal Government for a national honor like its contemporaries by which their beloved father and hero had dedicated himself to. Adekunle served in the Nigerian Army from 1958-1974, including roles in the Congo crisis and Nigerian civil war. As commander of the Lagos Garrison, he earned a reputation as a fearless leader.
His troops mirrored his bravery, securing key locations in the Midwest like Escravos, Burutu, Urhonigbe, Owa and Aladima. They captured Bomadi and Patani, Youngtown, Koko, Sapele, Ajagbodudu, Warri, Ughelli, Orerokpe, Umutu and Itagba during the Civil war. Adekunle’s legacy remains complex, with some hailing him as a hero and others criticizing his methods.
NIGERIA ARMY AND HONORS:
Over the decades, the Federal Government has been known for giving posthumous honors to fallen heroes. Despite Brigadier General Benjamin Adekunle’s early retirement after 14 years of service, his unprecedented contribution to Nigeria’s unity shouldn’t be overlooked. His family’s quest for national recognition is justified, considering his remarkable service.
In 2022, the Nigeria Legion and Green Heroes Foundation honored over 30 veterans, including 109-year-old Nigerian Army Veteran Mr. Melee Ture, for their selfless service to humanity. Ture, a World War I and civil war veteran, was also a Star Awardee at the “Celebrating Our Heroes” event. Retired Major-General Abdulmalik Jibril, then National Chairman of the Legion, emphasized that the event aimed to recognize retired officers and men who brought honor and privilege to Nigeria through their distinguished service.
This recognition aligns with the family’s desire to honor Adekunle’s legacy, despite his reputation for occasionally disobeying orders.
In an interview exclusive with PremiunTimes, Alabi-Isama, Adekunle’s Chief of Staff, portrayed him as a humane soldier who cared for abandoned Biafran babies regardless. He further revealed that the Brigadier was too stubborn for his good. He did not accept his Chief of Staff’s counsel to keep off the Igbo heartland till his troops were ready. In Alabi-Isama’s words: ‘The attack on Owerri, Aba and Umuahia was his (Adekunle) undoing.’
He further state that Adekunle sought to eliminate him and General Alani Akinriande who was also in the Commandos as at the time for their trenchant opposition. The Chief of Staff allegedly claim that his commander’s downturn and removal was due to ‘Post-Trauma Stress syndrome.’
Although Adekunle was retired in 1974 following an international hemp scandal, the possibility that he was a victim of power play in the military high command cannot be ruled out. The high command comprised of officers who prosecuted the war and many of them had unpleasant memories of the brave but brash Adekunle who openly flouted orders, resorted to unorthodox measures and challenged superiors just to get the best for his men in the field and achieve his goals. This notwithstanding, during his time of service he proved himself to be resourceful.
COMMAND DURING CIVIL WAR
When the Nigerian Civil War erupted in July 1967, Adekunle was tasked to lead elements which included two new battalions (7th and 8th) – to conduct the historic sea borne assault on Bonny in the Bight of Benin on 26 July 1968 (carried out by Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s unit). This happened after the federal government gained confidence of most south western ethnic groups as a direct result of Biafran push to mid-west state and probe into Western region. Adekunle was promoted to Colonel after the Bonny landing.
Late Brigadier Adekunle is recorded during the CivilWar, to take over an army command largely made up of volunteers who had no prior military training and turned them, within months, into brave soldiers with the most humane records.
Also It is on record that his feat came with minimal loss of human lives, a testimony to his deft tactics. Many of those captured by his command were either absorbed into the Nigerian army or rehabilitated to take up other dignifying jobs.
UNPRECEDENTED QUALIFICATION AND MERITS
Adekunle, according to historical accounts, was a product of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on December, 1960. He served in Kasai Province of Congo with the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Regiment, been his first ONUC UN peace keeping duty. In 1962, Lt Adekunle became Aide-de-Camp to the governor of the eastern region, Sir Akanu Ibiam.
As a Captain he was posted back to the Congo as Staff Captain (A) To the Nigerian Brigade HQ at Luluabourg under Brigadier B. Ogundipe. In 1964, Major Adekunle attended the Defence Services Staff College Wellington in India. He was appointed Adjutant General briefly in May 1965 to replace Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, who was proceeding on a course outside the country. He later handed over the position to Lt. Col. James Pam and posted back to his old Battalion (1st Bn) in Enugu as a Company Commander. He later assumed command of the Lagos Garrison as a substantive Lt. Col.
When the Nigerian Civil War broke out in July 1967, Adekunle was tasked to lead elements which included two new battalions (7th and 8th) – to conduct the historic sea borne assault on Bonny in the Bight of Benin on 26 July 1968 (carried out by Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s unit). This happened after the Federal Government gained confidence of most south western ethnic groups as a direct result of Biafra push to Mid-west State and probe into Western region. Adekunle was promoted to Colonel after the Bonny landing.
ADEKUNLE’S STATEMENT AFTER RETIREMENT
In an excerpt from a 1977 interview with Muyiwa, a war journalist, Benjamin Adekunle shared his thoughts on his service in the Nigerian Army. Adekunle, also known as “The Black Scorpion,” asserted his dedication to the cause, saying:
“The Black Scorpion doesn’t sting anymore. His venom was neutralized some years ago when the Gowon regime retired him from the Army. My killing days are over. I had been labeled a legalized murderer by Nigerian society.”
When asked if he was bothered by people’s perception of him as heartless and ruthless, Adekunle responded:
“If you say I’m dangerous in performing my duty, as a father, I don’t think I am. If you say I’m a radical, yes. If you say I’m a disciplinarian, I’ll believe you. But if you say I’m dangerous, I’d like some proof. I was considered radical in the Army because of my ideas.”
Adekunle believed radical changes were necessary for Nigeria’s progress.
“Just look outside and see if the people need radical changes or not. Find out if they understand their enemies and their friends. Radicalism gives people a new lease on life, a sense of pride and belonging to the nation.”
After leaving the Army, Adekunle aimed to dedicate himself to saving the souls of fellow Nigerians.
“Not that I regret my time as a soldier or my killing days, as some people would call it. But sometimes, you need to reassess. Being a soldier can be a curse; people brand you as if there’s no good in you, just a bloodthirsty cannibal.”
Regarding his infamous nickname, “The Black Scorpion,” Adekunle attributed it to a mistaken identity.
“I believe the Western press mistakenly identified our battalion’s insignia, an octopus, as a scorpion. Since then, it has stuck. I don’t mind; it doesn’t mean anything to me. I’ve been branded.”
DEATH OF A WAR HERO:
Adekunle, of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, trained passed away 13th September at age 78 10 years ago. The “Black Scorpion” as he came to be known, was easily the most controversial, celebrated and mythologized figure in the war of attrition that laid the foundations for Nigeria’s contemporary crisis; and threw a wedge into the national fabric. “
FAMILY DEMANDS HONOR
Speaking to journalists during the Golf Kitty organised by the family in his honour at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club, his eldest child, Busola Olagunju, said that the recognition of her late father was long overdue.
She said, “My late father was a patriot who loved his country and sacrificed everything he had for its unity. He was a good father, and we still miss him to this day.”
When asked how she wanted him to be immortalised, Olagunju said, “The same way they have honoured other patriots and nationalists by naming notable monuments, institutions, roads, etc., after them. It would be fitting for people to remember that such a patriotic person existed.”
REMARKS FOR THE IDEA OF IMMORTALIZATION
Brigadier General Samuel Ladipo said, “I am happy that the family has organised this event because, for a long time, ‘Black Scorpion’ has not received the recognition he deserves. Charity begins at home, and now that Black Scorpion is being recognised in Ogbomoso, I believe Nigeria will soon give him the honour he is due.
Also, retired Federal Civil Service Permanent Secretary Olusegun Adekunle said, “I believe the process is underway. There is no time God cannot touch the heart of a leader to remind them of someone who deserves to be honoured. It happened in the Bible, and I am certain it will also happen in our lifetime.”
A Nigerian civil war veteran, retired Brigadier General Godwin Alabi-Isama, has said that those who were jealous of the brilliance of the Late Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, a.k.a Black Scorpion, were behind the travails he went through while in the Nigerian Army.
The veteran civil war hero, who was obviously not happy with the way late Brig. Adekunle was treated while alive, said it was sad that late Odimegwu Ojukwu, who caused the war that claimed over two million lives and loss of valuables, was buried with full military honour when he died while Adekunle, who brought the the civil war to an end, was deprived of his rights.
CONCLUSION
The irony of the Benjamin Adekunle story is that, when discussed or mentioned in the South South or South East regions, he is often portrayed as a man of irredeemable sins who deserves punishment, even in death, for his draconian actions during the Civil War.
As Adekunle understandably was not their flavour of the month among most citizens of the secessionist republic of Biafra, especially the Igbo. As the commander of the campaign that captured Bonny, effectively cutting off Biafra’s coastal access, and several other operations that systematically overran most of today’s Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states; Adekunle dealt a terrible body blow to Biafra. He had a job to do as an officer of the Nigerian army; he, alongside Colonel Murtala Muhammed, was largely instrumental to rolling back the Biafran tide after the secessionist forces successfully invaded the Mid-West (now Delta and Edo states).
However, despite such ill circumstance that has made him stand out historically, it is but essential to recognize that Adekunle was simply fulfilling his duty as a soldier regardless. His name will forever resonate as a great son of Africa, thanks to his significant contributions to Nigeria’s contemporary history – feats that are currently lacking in the Nigerian Army, showcasing a rare willpower that’s sorely needed. This raises the question: does Nigeria truly deserve its heroes? Notably, Nigeria achieved remarkable feats in its early years, unmatched even by some European countries. The history of post-independence Nigeria and the crises that threatened its existence would be incomplete without acknowledging this courageous soldier.
