Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle, born on June 26, 1936, and passing away on September 13, 2014, left an indelible mark as a Nigerian Army Brigadier and commander during the Civil War.
Hailing from Kaduna, Adekunle’s diverse heritage included a father from Ogbomosho and a mother of Bachama ethnicity. His educational journey took him to the government college in Okene, now Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, Kogi State. In 1958, immediately after completing his school certificate examinations, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army. Successfully passing the army selection exams, he proceeded to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on December 15, 1960.
Adekunle’s early military assignments included serving as a platoon commander in Kasai Province, Congo, during the ONUC UN peacekeeping tour of duty. His career saw diverse roles, including Aide-de-Camp to the governor of the eastern region, Staff Captain in the Congo, and attendance at the Defence Services Staff College in India in 1964. After a brief stint as Adjutant General at the Army Headquarters, he returned to his old Battalion in Enugu as a Company Commander.
When the Nigerian Civil War erupted in July 1967, Adekunle assumed command of the Lagos Garrison, eventually leading elements in the historic sea-borne assault on Bonny in July 1968. Promoted to colonel after this successful operation, he continued to play a significant role in liberating the Midwest.
Faced with operational challenges and the need for a distinctive identity for his division, Adekunle, without formal approval, renamed it the “3 Marine Commando (3MCDO).” Known as the “Black Scorpion,” he became a controversial and mythologized figure in the war, contributing to the foundations of Nigeria’s contemporary challenges.
Adekunle’s determination and leadership led to the capture of various strategic locations, and he was quoted regarding the blockade of Biafra, expressing a harsh stance against humanitarian aid. Promoted to Brigadier in 1972, he later took on the responsibility of decongesting the Lagos port. However, his military career faced challenges, and he was compulsorily retired on August 20, 1974.
Attributing his post-war troubles to rivals within the army, Adekunle remained a popular figure, known for his significant following in both the military and the public. He passed away on September 13, 2014, and was laid to rest in the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos.
