Because of the festival, therefore, the Oba advised Philips
to postpone his proposed visit by one month. Given the
mistrust between the British and the Oba, it is not
surprising that Consul Philips found it difficult to believe
the Oba’s excuses.


Consequently, despite advice to the contrary by Itsekiri
Chiefs who knew the Oba and Bini customs well, Philips
proceeded with the visit. Philips and his men arrived at
Ughoton, the port of Bini, on January 3, 1897.


They were ordered back by the Oba’s messengers who
were on ambush but Philips refused to obey. A dispute
ensued between both parties and resulted in fighting.
Philips and most of his men were killed. This killing is
what is referred to in some books as the Bini Massacre of
1897.


Expectedly, the British used this development as the
excuse for the conquest of Bini and its absorption into the
British empire. Oba Ovonramwen himself anticipated the
British reprisal and carried out human sacrifices to win the
support of the gods.



Despite this, however, the British invasion which lasted
from FEBRUARY 10-17 [1897] resulted in total victory for
the invaders though the defence or resistance was heroic.
The result was adverse for Bini. She was burnt down,
captured, looted and Oba Ovontamwen after six months
of hiding, surrendered himself to the British, and was
given a trial in September, convicted and deported to
Calabar. He was to die there in 1914.

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