Adieu! ‘Black Scorpion’ Is Dead......

General Benjamin Adekunle (rtd), popularly known as ‘Black Scorpion’ is dead. His wife, Folake, said he died Saturday morning in Lagos although the cause of his death was not revealed. Adekunle was born in Kaduna. His father was a native of Ogbomosho, while his mother was a member of the Bachama tribe. He underwent secondary education at the government college, Okene (in present day Kogi State).

He enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1958 shortly after completing his school certificate examinations. He passed the army selection examinations and thereafter was despatched to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, the British Army’s initial officer entry academy. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on December 15, 1960.

As a platoon commander, he served in Kasai Province of Congo with the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Nigeria Regiment during his first ONUC UN peace keeping tour of duty. In 1962, Lt. Adekunle became Aide-de-Camp to the governor of the eastern region, Sir Akanu Ibiam.

The following year, 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 at Wellington, in India.

When he returned he was briefly appointed Adjutant General at the Army Headquarters in May 1965 to replace Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, who was proceeding on a course outside the country. However, he later handed over the position to Lt. Col. James Pam and was posted back to his old Battalion (1st Bn) in Enugu as a Company Commander.

Adekunle later assumed command of the Lagos Garrison as a substantive Lt. Col. 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.

The 6th (under Major Jalo) and 8th (under Major Ochefu) battalions of the Lagos Garrison subsequently took part in operations to liberate the Midwest following the Biafran invasion of August 1967. The 7th (under Major Abubakar) stayed behind to hold Bonny. Because Major Jalo’s Unit was seconded to Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed’s 2nd Division, Adekunle was left with only the 8th Battalion at Escravos.

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Posted: at 13-09-2014 11:23 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero

rest in hell evil man

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Posted: at 13-09-2014 11:48 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Why evil man?

Posted: at 13-09-2014 12:56 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming

R.I.P

Posted: at 13-09-2014 01:31 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac

For those who are wondering why Zeigbo called Adekunle evil man the reason is simple,Adekunle was so ruthless and heartless in dealing with the Biafrans,study your history books!

Posted: at 13-09-2014 02:04 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming

I reckon that your mind is so messed up with separatist idea. No human with right mind speaks evil of the dead. If the current leaders are as half committed to the unity and development of Nigeria as late Gen Adekunle and his colleagues was, I bet Nigeria will be better than this. Please stop been an ethnic bigot!!!

Posted: at 13-09-2014 02:55 PM (9 years ago) | Newbie

rip

Posted: at 13-09-2014 03:19 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming

Ok

Posted: at 13-09-2014 03:59 PM (9 years ago) | Hero

from your side of history.....but from our side, he was a true warrior

Posted: at 13-09-2014 04:25 PM (9 years ago) | Hero

No peace for wicked man

Posted: at 13-09-2014 05:10 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac