a valiant brave man who died resisting the invading British forces during the expedition of 1897.During the siege on Benin, it was said that general Asoro ably defended the spot where the statue now stands. He said "no other person dare pass this road unless the Oba" (So kpon Oba). It is this statement which has been corruptedo become SAKPONBA.This statue, which is a salute to patriotism and loyalty is located on the king's Square by the beginning of Sokponba Road,Benin City. The spot where chief Asoro have died after fighting bravely.
"Almost single-handedly, Asoro held the invader at bay for 5 days, defying blazing guns and ploughing maniacally into the enemies midst to deal out death and mutilation among them. Steeped to his back teeth in magic, Asoro would not fall to gun or sabre. His deadly poisoned arrows and his huge broad-sword hit their marks with devastating accuracy all around. When he fought in the midst of any of the enemy groups,He never left untill every man in it bit the dust.Then he moved on. There was only one condition he had to obey to in order to stay alive. It was that he should never looked back over his shoulder.Asoro fought and fought and fought. Then suddenly he quiver of arrows that hung from his shoulder seemed to have been snatched away.He looked right and left but could not find it.The pressure was on him from all directions.Inadvertently,he looked back on his shoulder and saw Ofoe" which in benin means {the messenger of death}
and after days of fight he was finally brought down in the exact location were his statue is located today in modern day benin, which led to the final invasion of the kings square.
rumor has it that both ASORO and his counterpart EBE-IKHIMWIN were responsible for the death of more than five thousand British soldiers...


source;Excerpts from African agency and European colonialism
By Femi James Kolapo, Kwabena O. Akurang-Parry

oba to kpere ise

oba kha to kpere ise

I am not aware of the fact that Asoro was a general. He was a sword bearer. An Omo'ada.........This was what we were taught in school. He was not a member of the royal army either....but we all know that during wars all men are called on to serve.

odigbosky:
I am not aware of the fact that Asoro was a general. He was a sword bearer. An Omo'ada.........This was what we were taught in school. He was not a member of the royal army either....but we all know that during wars all men are called on to serve.

alot of things are taught wrong in the benin history in schools asoro was never an omo 'ada he didnt even live in the palace atleast omo'ada never leaves the palace, agreed he wasnt a general in the royal army before the invasion but he was a warrior and later a general