The Scorpion still stings at 70

By John Ebri

AS a bloody civilian, I could hardly keep up with his steps as we strode to the elevator door. He even had to stop the elevator to let me in. As I walked up, there they were: Biafran warlord Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle. Like a palace show, both stood at attention and saluted each other in proper military fashion; hugged and exchanged places in the elevator — one was getting off while the other took his place. Both had fought on opposing sides of the Nigeria-Biafra war that lasted between 1967 and 1970. The camaraderie baffled me but what could I say.

That was in June 2000, some 30 years after the civil war had ended. The Christian Igbo were a majority in what was then the Eastern Region. They developed a strong separatist movement during the mid-1960s in response to the massacre of some 10,000 to 30,000 Igbo by Islamic Hausa and Fulani peoples, who then dominated the Nigerian federal government. Anticipating further violence and repression, the Eastern Region, led by Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, proclaimed its independence as the Republic of Biafra in May 1967. This precipitated a civil war that raged until January 15, 1970, when the Biafrans signed a formal surrender. An estimated million people died of starvation in Biafra because of food shortage caused by the war. The Biafran story is still the cause of groups such as the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. I consulted a military man who maintains a good record of the Nigerian military history. The following is the independent assessment of the Black Scorpion, at least within military circles.

An astute soldier, the then Col. Ben Adekunle was popularly known as the “Black Scorpion” during civil war. Adekunle was of mixed parentage: Born in Ogbomosho to a Yoruba father and a Bachama mother, he trained in Sandhurst, the most prestigious military academy in Britain, where he was adjudged of average ability. He served as a normal infantry officer and only came into prominence when he led the sea borne assaults on Bonny and Midwest.

Black Scorpion was a very competent officer and an all rounder who rarely delegated responsibility to subordinates. His ability to speak the three Nigerian languages and many other dialects became an asset to his operations. His Division was an amorphous mixture of old and new soldiers from particularly every tribe in Nigeria. It is to his credit that he was able to instill discipline and weld his Division into the formidable and popular Third Marine Commando Divisional Corps. The result was some spectacular success in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Aba and Owerri at the peak of his command. He eventually lost his command to Obasanjo in April 1969.

Adekunle had remarkable talents for getting things done and thus endeared him to most citizens as a national hero. He was however known for iron discipline and in some areas embarked on unorthodox measures to instill fear into his officers and soldiers. His successes were therefore costly in terms of material resources and human life.

Often regarded as aggressive and dynamic, his unpredictable temperament often created morbid fear among the officers and soldiers in his division. Although he possessed good tactical abilities, his uncanny ability to disregard logistics and his penchant for adventure were unfortunately not regarded as sterling qualities. This was probably why he was replaced as GOC just before the end of the war.

No matter what anyone may say, the Adekunle I know is a gentle, loving and generous man. On my first contact with Adekunle, he lived up to his billing as a terror but as generous as can be. He would refuse to grant an interview but willing to give you anything you demand. Thereafter, we became best of friends.

When I went visiting one day, the retired general refused to use any of his cars and asked me to take him somewhere. On the way, we met a woman returning from church trekking with a child on her back while dragging two others along. Adekunle asked me to stop and pick the woman and children to their home totally out of our direction. That is how soft the strong man can become.

That Nigeria is still one today is attributable to Adekunle’s military prowess, even though he lost the glory of receiving the surrender instrument to Obasanjo in 1970 and later became second in command to late General Murtala Muhammed and then head of state before his election as President and commander in chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Like his friend, Major General A. B. M. Haruna would say: “I am retired but not tired”. That is probably what Adekunle was saying as he clocked 70 years last week. While we wish him many more fruitful years ahead, this should be seen as a wake-up call for Nigerians to begin to take a stock of its legends and tap fron the wealth of their knowledge because, he who neglects the past, risks a bleak future.

Reactions

It is abnormal and lack of a social welfare policy, coupled with insincerity of our leaders are the reasons for fear of the unknown among military personnel in Nigeria.
Rufai Fatai, Kishi, Oyo State. (08057765225)
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OBJ, Olabode George and Ehindero caused all the problems in Oyo State as the state used to be very peaceful. Abdullahi Odetoyinbo, Lagos (0803064403)
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Segun Adeniyi is good. We need him. The military role in a democracy is very important, no doubt. But there is a commander in chief and that is President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Constitutionally, he is the ultimate.
Charles Ampitan. (08033002289)
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I have no full confidence in EFCC until Obasanjo, Bode George, Tony Anenih, Fani-Kayode are arrested too. Those that have been arrested are selected politicians.
Sangotikun Taiwo Julius, Iseyin (08056309372)
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It is animalistic, disgusting and grossly uncharitable for our retired men to queue for their rights. Yar’Adua, don’t copy OBJ.
Olayiwola Adedapo Fire. Iyin-Ekiti. (08034355065)
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The good people of Ondo State know that Mimiko is the elected governor in Ondo State, not Agagu. It is the former President Obasanjo that instructed the INEC official in charge of information to announce the name of Agagu even if he had a single vote.
(08083157008)
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Soludo is a confused man. He seems to have lost touch with the system. He should resign. (08022230565)