₦airaland Forum

The SWners have no idea that they are just tools in the hands of the North to be used and then dumped

A close friend of the late war veteran, Brig. Gen Benjamin Adekunle, Prince Godwin Ogonewe Don Aki has given a graphic account of some of life regrets the former military officer battled with before succumbing to the cold hands of death last week.

In this interview with LAYIWOLA OLANREWAJU, Prince Don Aki recalls that the failure of the Nigerian state to restore Adekunle’s retirement benefits topped the list of worries that troubled the Army General till death. Excerpts:

Can you recollect how you met the late Gen Adekunle?

I never heard of that name before but as the Lagos State president of Nigeria’s Thinkers Club which was a socialist club with 20,000 members. And our club was the one that advised Gowon on the issue of genocide during the Biafran war. And at that time Gowon being what he was, said there was no word “genocide” in war but that he could allow us as observers to see for ourselves what was happening in the war front. So, we picked about 22 of our men to go to the war front as observers and that was the time I got to the camp of 3rd Marine Command where I first heard the name, Black Scorpion and I said to myself, how can a human being bear Black Scorpion, he must be a very deadly and ruthless person. But I never saw him one on one during the civil war.

There was one thing I did which attracted his attention and I learnt he said when he set his eyes on me, he was going to kill me. Some men were forcefully conscripted into the Nigerian Army on Lagos road at that time. Because I was attached to the medical corps, these men would tell me: “Sir, my wife or mother did not know that I am at the war front now as I was picked at Oyingbo bus stop.” They kept saying so many things. Adekunle was holding meeting at the Supreme Military Council in Lagos at Dodan Barracks, then I decided to discharge about 200 of them, you know what I did was that I just put bandage on their heads, arms, and iodine on the bandage. I discharged them when the war was on. There and then, I went my way, but I heard that the Black Scorpion said if he should catch the young man that did that, he was going to send him to hell. I said he can’t know me because I have never met him before, I don’t know how he looks like.

But as God would have it, in 1988 I had already moved to Ilorin and I was close to the Government House when I went to see Ndatsu Umaru who was then the military governor. And I heard from his ADC that Black Scorpion was in the Government charlet. I said the same Black Scorpion? So, I drove there. I went into the charlet, a bungalow. I tapped the door and the person said yes, come in. When I went in, he was wearing a white singlet, neat. He was a very neat person, neat singlet and a boxer with a combination of blue and white. He was holding Heineken beer in front of him and his cigarette. He said young man, can I help you? I said yes sir, my name is so so and so. It didn’t ring a bell to him and I said well am told you are looking for me and he asked, who are you? Can you identify yourself? As I was trying to move forward, he said move back. So, I moved backward a bit, then I said am the one that discharged some soldiers from the 3rd Marine Command during the war. He said, my God you are so bold, you mean if you had wanted to kill me this morning, this is how you would have walked up to me. Then he said I like bold young men like you, he stretched his hands, shook my hands and said ‘we can be friends from today’.

That was how I met him and that was
where we started talking about myself,
where I come from. Then I asked him, sir,
why are you drinking and smoking early in
the morning and he gave me his reasons.

And what were his reasons?

No, let’s leave that now.

With your closeness to him, what is
your assessment of him?

I have never seen a detribalised Nigerian like him. As you asked earlier, he said one of the reasons for his endless smoking is that “the spirit of those that I killed during the war are haunting me, that is why you see me drinking and smoking like that and changing cigarettes.” He was a very blunt person, and very ruthless. If you asked him questions he won’t like to answer, you will see him open the door and tell you to walk out. No matter how close you are. He can even tell you, you are ole (thief) or bastard. That was his common language.

Did you ask him about reports of his death and resurrection at the war front?

No, we never discussed that. As I have told you, there are certain things you don’t ask him.

You said you were very close to him, what were the things he used to tell you?

He told me quite a lot. I was very close to him. In fact, I like men who are bold, he has no tolerance for corruption. He gave me my respect when we were together. He did mention to me that he regretted the way he was treated in the Nigerian Army and told me his ambition for the Nigerian Army and he mentioned how he was forcefully retired from the army and told me about Iyabo Olorunkoya. He said there was nothing like that. He had had encounter with a particular Northern Army General at the Supreme Military Council and because of his comment while he was asked to terminate all Igbo at the then Biafra war. He challenged the General on this and the insult the particular General rained on Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that he can not be rude to a Yoruba elder and that as far as Igbo is concerned, they are his people because his first wife was the ADC to Akanu Ibiam and what happened next, he was retired.

He told me how he wanted the Nigeria Army to be the best of all the armies. He tried everything possible for them to change his compulsory retirement to normal retirement to enjoy his full benefits, but he was denied. These are the things he lamented.

Are there other things you can remember?

Whenever I was with him, he was always smoking and drinking. One day I told him that they were not good for his health. When we went to hospital at Surulere, he has a doctor friend. After the test, there was no trace of nicotin in his blood. He didn’t eat much. When we sit with his youngest wife, Folake, he will be telling me about this country. He said this is not the kind of country he wants his children to school. He wants a better Nigeria. He said as far as he is concerned, he is not a happy man until his benefits are restored.

Did he mention steps he took to have his benefits restored?

Yes, I know many times he went to Abuja to see Abacha or Babangida and when he comes, he tells me how far he has gone. He never succeeded. They were boys under him. When he is going, they give him money and he said to them ‘to hell with your money.’ He wants to live like a retired General. He had no guard, no cook, no personal driver to show he is a retired General. Sorry to say, to me he is a hero more than Murtala Muhammed.

The military men at that time were detrib­alised. They were poor. They served the nation and were proud to serve the nation. That is the class Adekunle belonged to. He was so humble. If you go to him, he is generous. He loves children. He was careless and ruthless with money.

At time, I see tears from his eyes when he remembers things. As tough as he was, he was humane. Every letter he wrote to his people for development, he gives me copy. He doesn’t like cowards. He likes his family. He does not care about material things. He doesn’t dress extra ordinary, he was simple but unfortunately, he became a contractor. He was a contractor before he died.

Do you know whether his benefits were restored?

I don’t know if this present administration has reversed it.

What pains you most about his death?

What I failed to achieve was his conversion to Christianity. He said he was the Asipa of Ogbomoso. He told me what transpired between him and the Deeper Life Bible Church. There was a day he had agreed with me to go to church and I was in his house early that day. In fact, he had dressed up for church but the sermon of a Deeper Life pastor was on when he came out and I drew his attention to it and he said look because of this he was no longer going, he went in and cancelled the church that day. I regretted because that was an opportunity to make right with his God.

How would you describe your late friend?

Adekunle was a hero Nigerians refused to recognise because he is a Yoruba man. He was fearless in the battle front. He told me Abiola was a coward. Abiola would have been the greatest but he ran away because of a small rumour.

Would you want government to honour him?

I don’t understand the character we are made of. Outside this country they celebrate heroes. Not until we remove tribal characterism from us, we cannot grow up. Nigeria was better then. It is getting worse now. We don’t have to wait for our heroes to die before honouring them.

Look, Wole Soyinka should be celebrated more than this. Aminu Kano was a Hausa man I respect a lot. We should celebrate our hereos, not calling their children or wife to collect the award when they die. We have to bury all these dirty things we have like tribalism, nepotism, hatred. I can see Nigeria greater than America. Not until we start to think properly. At age of 12, I started to fend for myself though am from a royal family. We will grow when we remove state origin, local government from our affairs and base our judgment on merit.

How do you want Adekunle remembered?

I want Nigeria to see him as a great man during the civil war. He was a man that was detribalised. His first wife was an Igbo woman. I see him as someone who was patriotic. He was humble though brutal and ruthless to those who do wrong. He was bold. He will tell you what he wants to tell you in your presence and behind you.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/black-scorpion-adekunles-regrets-bosom-friend-don-aki-recalls/

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Truckpusher

K

Summary or I don't believe

Another foolish Igbo on the loose.

Story.

He remains the ojuju of calabar of any loud mouthed chest beater. He shoots anything walking or dead.

If you do not know him, as a cheat beater from the land of the dawning sun, Never pray to meet him. Lmaooooooo

story for the doGs

Black scorpion

gesundheit:
Another foolish Igbo on the loose.

I didn't write that, it was published in the dailies and it seems you prefer to keep it hidden

superstar1:
Story.

He remains the ojuju of calabar of any loud mouthed chest beater. He shoots anything walking or dead.

If you do not know him, as a cheat beater from the land of the dawning sun, Never pray to meet him. Lmaooooooo

Your comment just proved that you didn't read it, I think you'll become a little sober and think about your life after reading it. Perhaps it will help you canvass for a better country.

coolestrogue:
Summary or I don't believe

It's an interesting piece, the summary will be less interesting. Just give it shot, I don't want to believe you are lazy

Demmocrats:
K

Bros only you book two lands, you try ooo

The Nigerian army would not be the disaster it is today if officers like this man held sway. Fine soldiers where fissuled out for corrupt and power hungry elements. This attitude has trickled down to lowest ranks.

He was a wicked Yoruba soldier that carried the civil war on his head and massacred innocent biafrans cos he wanted to impress Hausa-fulani. So wen u call him hero, I wonder what u mean? Hero of genocide or what? Mstchewwww Fking yorubas! Ndi ara. #vegatalks

Obiagelli:
The Nigerian army would not be the disaster it is today if officers like this man held sway. Fine soldiers where fissuled out for corrupt and power hungry elements. This attitude has trickled down to lowest ranks.

What could he have possibly done against his Northern boss who were done using him?

the killer

Candyrain:
Bros only you book two lands, you try ooo

Brother na better investment it just paid off
www.

Candyrain:
What could he have possibly done against his Northern boss who were done using him?

Using him how?

gesundheit:
Another foolish Igbo on the loose.

Salam how far? Please deny yourself again. It's fun watching you struggle to dissociate yourself from your bald head. lmao!

ArodewilliamsT:
Salam how far? Please deny yourself again. It's fun watching you struggle to dissociate yourself from your bald head. lmao!

Hello who is this imp?? can you please go kill yourself and your family.

Obiagelli:
Using him how?

While his Northern colleagues ascended to power he was unceremoniously discharged without his benefits till he died perhaps because he refused to carry out the genocide order against the Igbos. Same thing is about happening to Tinubu, use and dump.

Not many soldiers have served fearlessly and selflessly.

Great man that ever lived.

Candyrain:
While his Northern colleagues ascended to power he was unceremoniously discharged without his benefits till he died perhaps because he refused to carry out the genocide order against the Igbos. Same thing is about happening to Tinubu, use and dump.

The last time I checked he was fighting for his country, he war the Nigerian army uniform as many other including igbos are wearing today. Are the soldiers fighting in the North east today being used to be dumped?

In your assessment any officer that didn't ascend to power was dumped? was that what the army was setup for?

Obiagelli:
The Nigerian army would not be the disaster it is today if officers like this man held sway. Fine soldiers where fissuled out for corrupt and power hungry elements. This attitude has trickled down to lowest ranks.

Stop crying joor!

He was a war criminal that never got served with justice .

Obiagelli:
The last time I checked he was fighting for his country, he war the Nigerian army uniform as many other including igbos are wearing today. Are the soldiers fighting in the North east today being used to be dumped?

In your assessment any officer that didn't ascend to power was dumped? was that what the army was setup for?

You obviously didn't read that stuff.

Why would one be hurriedly retired simply because he has a disagreement with his orders.
Read it upside down and get the message.

Obiagelli:
The last time I checked he was fighting for his country, he war the Nigerian army uniform as many other including igbos are wearing today. Are the soldiers fighting in the North east today being used to be dumped?

In your assessment any officer that didn't ascend to power was dumped? was that what the army was setup for?

Not at all. He was said to be a hero but can you tell why he was retired without his benefit for someone of his rank?

gesundheit:
Hello who is this imp?? can you please go kill yourself and your family.

Shatap dia, your empty bald head made them deny you admission in prestigious schools. That's why you are languishing in an unaccredited technical college established in 2012. lmao!

Truckpusher:
You obviously didn't read that stuff.

Why would one be hurriedly retired simply because he has a disagreement with his orders.
Read it upside down and get the message.

Thanks my bro, pls help me show her what she's missing.

ArodewilliamsT:
Shatap dia, your empty bald head made them deny you admission in prestigious schools. That's why you are languishing in an unaccredited technical college established in 2012. lmao!

I don't even know who this bassstard is yapping about. You goat keep calling everybody this your friend after checking your useless post history. How about you getting the fvck off from my mentions you SOB.

gesundheit:
[s]I don't even know who this bassstard is yapping about. You goat keep calling everybody this your friend after checking your useless post history. How about you getting the fvck off from my mentions you SOB[/s].

Don't worry salam, your brain go reset when a big stick lands on that bald coconut head.

ArodewilliamsT:
Don't worry salam, your brain go reset when a big stick lands on bald coconut head.

Go elsewhere to look for your friend. Your brain need the stick more cause only a lunatic keep calling everyone who they are not. Make sure you complete your.medication you son of a fat wh0re.