REVEALED: VETERAN WAR HERO, BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE LIVED IN SQUALOR IN HIS DYING DAYS

One of the country’s most accomplished strategists and celebrated hero of the Nigerian Civil War, Brigadier General Benjamin Maja Adekunle died last Saturday, September 13, in the course of a protracted illness. The Black Scorpion, as he was affectionately called in recognition of his war exploits, was aged 78.

News of his passing away was broken by his widow, Folake, in a text message.
She wrote: “This is Folake Adekunle, Gen. Adekunle’s wife. I just want to inform u that Gen. Adekunle died this morning.” As news of his demise spread, prominent Nigerians including his colleagues in the army began paying tribute to his memory.

It was learnt that Black Scorpion had been ill for

many months before he succumbed to death. His condition degenerated so much mid last year that his son, Biodun, had to go public for government and the army to come to his aid.

The ELITES gathered that General Adekunle had been ill for some time now. His condition degenerated so much mid last year that his son, Biodun, had to go public  for government and the army to come to his aid.

 Black Scorpion was said to be living in squalor. His former house, built in this area of Surulere, notorious for its poor subsoil, was sinking, like many other houses in the neighbourhood.

 His financial condition was said to have suffered such decline, that many retired Generals who served under his command in the Third Marine Commando, which was probably responsible for Nigeria’s victory in the civil war, were reported to have decided to come to his aid. Sources disclosed to The ELITES that this group of concerned friends arranged a meeting with ex President Olusegun Obasanjo for some succour to be brought to the war veteran person in the way of moral and financial support. Retired Brigadier General Femi Williams was said to have spearheaded the plans on this issue. 
It move, made by this group was said to have brought some respite to the dare devil soldier, and gave him some form of socour in the twilight days of his life. 

Colonel Adekunle, it will be recalled, opened up the entire marine sector of the war in 1968/69 by his deft movements in blockading Bonny Town, the entrance to Port Harcourt from the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of Guinea and the Bight of Benin, intrepidly leading his men through the Bonny Bar to Abonema and Port Harcourt, thereby cutting off any external approach to the Biafran rebel army of Warlord Odumegwu Ojukwu. By this action, the ability of Biafra to obtain any sea-borne assistance was completely paralysed. General Obasanjo later took over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of this successful division and received the surrender of the rebels. 

He was born on June 26, 1936 in Kaduna to an Ogbomoso father and a Bachama (in Adamawa State) mother. He joined the army in 1957. He served as Aide-de-camp to former Governor of the old Eastern Region, Dr. Akanu Ibiam.
He was pioneer Commander of the 3rd Marine Commando during the war and was compulsorily retired from the army in 1974.