Honouring General Benjamin Adekunle: A life of military service and dedication
Story by Susan Mbamah
Born in Kaduna, Nigeria; his father was from Ogbomoso, Oyo State. He completed secondary education at Government College, Okene and enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1958 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 15 December 1960.
During the Civil Wãr (1967-1970), he led the amphibious assault on Bonny Island in July 1967 (sometimes called the ‘Bonny landing’), one of the early successes for federal forces.
He commanded Operation Tiger Claw, capturing the important Biafran port of Calabar.
READ ALSO: Military closes Damaturu-Maiduguri highway after insurgent attack in Ngamdu
Under his command, the 3rd Marine Commando Division (which he renamed to underscore its amphibious/riverside operations) achieved many victories in riverine and coastal areas: taking control of places like Escravos, Burutu, Urhonigbe, Owa, Aladima, Bomadi, Patani, Youngtown, Koko, Sapele, Ajagbodudu, Warri, Ughelli, Orerokpe, Umutu, and Itagba Uno.
His forces’ operations were strategic in cutting off Biafra’s supply routes via the coast and riverine areas, helping to isolate Biafra.
In 1972, he was promoted to Brigadier and was put in charge of decongesting the Lagos ports, a significant logistical/economic task, and succeeded in reducing congestion.
He retired from the Nigerian Army on 20 August, 1974. He was 38 then.
He said in an interview with Adetiba: “I wanted to do 22 years in the Army. I only did 14.”
He passed away at 78 on September 13, 2014.
Credit: Ethnic African Stories
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
