Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle (Black Scorpion), a former Nigerian military officer, died on Saturday, 13 September, 2014, in Lagos, Nigeria. He died at the age of 78 after suffering from a long illness.
His family confirmed that he died as a result of an illness that originated in 2009. He died in his bedroom at his home in Lagos.
Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle (Black Scorpion)
Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, nicknamed "Black Scorpion," distinguished himself in the Nigerian Civil War. He led the 3rd Division and became famous for his tactics in capturing Biafran territories. His leadership and bravery made him a prominent figure.
Adekunle was born in Kaduna. His father was of Ogbomosho origin, while his mother was from the Bachama ethnic group. He attended secondary school at Government College in Okene (now known as Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, in present-day Kogi State).
He joined the Nigerian military in 1958 shortly after completing his school examinations. He passed the military examination and was sent to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 15 December, 1960. As a platoon commander, he served in the Kasai province of Congo with the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Nigeria Regiment, during the UN peacekeeping mission ONUC.
In 1962, Lieutenant Adekunle became Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of the Eastern Region, Sir Akanu Ibiam. A year later, he was promoted to Captain and was redeployed to Congo as Captain Staff (A) to the Nigerian Brigade Headquarters in Luluabourg under Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe.
In 1964, Major Adekunle attended the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, India. Upon his return, he was appointed Adjutant General at Army Headquarters in May 1965 to replace Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon, who was continuing his studies abroad. However, he later handed over the position to Lieutenant Colonel James Pam and was redeployed to the old Battalion (1st Battalion) in Enugu as Battalion Commander.
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), he led the 3rd Marine Commando Division, a unit famous for recapturing important towns and Biafran territories. He was the soldier who recaptured Port Harcourt from the rebels.
The Nickname "Black Scorpion":
His nickname, "Black Scorpion," reflected his fearless and relentless style of warfare against enemies, which made both his foes and admirers fear and respect him. After the war, Adekunle was promoted to Brigadier, and he was given the responsibility of decongesting the Lagos ports. He was later forcibly retired on 20 August 1974.
He died on 13 September, 2014, and was buried in the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos.