A historic photograph taken in 1897 shows Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (also called Overami), the thirty-fifth Oba of the Kingdom of Benin, standing with his special sword bearer and chiefs in his palace. This portrait was taken shortly before his forced deportation to Calabar by British colonial forces—a turning point that reshaped the destiny of Benin and its monarchy.
The 1897 Punitive Expedition
The deportation of Oba Ovonramwen was the direct result of the British punitive expedition against Benin in February 1897. Tensions between the Kingdom of Benin and British colonial authorities had been escalating over trade restrictions, taxation, and control of palm oil exports.
When a British delegation led by Acting Consul General James Phillips attempted to enter Benin City against prior warnings, they were attacked, and several members of the mission were killed. In response, Britain launched a large-scale military invasion to capture the city, depose the Oba, and secure control over trade in the region.
The punitive expedition devastated Benin City. Thousands of soldiers and sailors, heavily armed with modern rifles, artillery, and machine guns, stormed the city. The royal palace and much of the city were burned, while thousands of cultural treasures were seized and shipped to Britain. These artworks became known as the Benin Bronzes, a globally renowned collection of intricately cast bronzes, ivories, and other works that showcased the skill and sophistication of Benin’s artists. Today, many of these pieces remain in Western museums, though efforts for repatriation have been gaining momentum.
Following the destruction of Benin City, Oba Ovonramwen initially fled into the forest. After months of pursuit, he surrendered to the British. In a symbolic act of humiliation, he was tried and then exiled to Calabar, a coastal city in southeastern Nigeria.
In exile, Oba Ovonramwen lived out the rest of his days under surveillance. He died in 1914, never returning to his throne or his people. His deportation marked the end of the Benin monarchy’s political power, though the institution itself would eventually be restored in a ceremonial capacity.
The Kingdom of Benin Before the Fall
For centuries before its conquest, the Kingdom of Benin was one of West Africa’s most powerful and sophisticated states. Situated in present-day Edo State, southern Nigeria, it flourished from at least the 13th century. Benin was renowned for its advanced city planning, massive earthworks, strong military organization, and flourishing art traditions.
The royal court commissioned elaborate bronze plaques, commemorative heads, and ivory carvings, which not only served as historical records but also reinforced the sacred authority of the Oba. European travelers as far back as the 15th century marveled at the city’s grandeur and artistry.
Legacy and Restoration of the Monarchy
Although British colonization dismantled Benin’s political sovereignty, the monarchy was restored in 1914 after the death of Oba Ovonramwen. However, its authority was heavily reduced under colonial rule, limited largely to cultural and traditional functions.
Today, the Oba of Benin remains an important cultural and spiritual leader, symbolizing continuity with the kingdom’s rich past. The ongoing global conversation about the return of the Benin Bronzes has renewed awareness of Oba Ovonramwen’s fate and the devastating consequences of the 1897 expedition.
The photograph of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi with his sword bearer and chiefs is more than a portrait—it is a symbol of resilience and loss. It captures the last days of an independent Benin Kingdom, moments before colonial conquest altered its destiny. The Oba’s deportation, the looting of the Benin Bronzes, and the destruction of Benin City remain among the most significant episodes in the history of European imperial expansion in Africa.
The legacy of Ovonramwen endures, not only in the survival of the monarchy but also in the global recognition of Benin’s art, history, and unbroken cultural identity.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.
The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota.
He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.
NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.
In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.
Mohammed urged motorists to be cautious of fatigue and possible dehydration during the fasting periods, and ensure that they take hours of rest before returning to the steering.
He also warned motorists against over speeding and wrongful overtaking, which could lead to tragedy, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all safety rules while on the road.
“We are appealing to motorists, especially Muslims and Christians who are fasting, to always observe the rest after every four hours of driving, to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
“Also, all motorists are enjoined to drive to stay alive; Wishing all safer roads and fuller life.” he said.
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye has disclosed that the Nigerian Tiktoker, simply identified as Mirable, has been admitted to a State-owned health facility, and is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention.
Adeleye added that an investigation had begun and the survivor is presently receiving psychosocial support, and is responding positively to medical treatment.
The commissioner stated this on Thursday night shortly after visiting the survivor at the health facility, in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the Medical Director of the facility.
According to her, the visit was aimed at assessing the survivor’s condition and ensuring that appropriate medical and welfare interventions were promptly administered.
The Commissioner praised the personnel at the State-owned medical facility and the State Ministry of Justice for their quick response, as well as the Nigeria Police Force and Ogun State Police Command for their rapid and timely action as soon as the case was transferred to the State.
“This structured approach is intended to protect the survivor’s welfare while guaranteeing that investigations are conducted professionally, thoroughly, and strictly on the basis of verifiable evidence”, Adeleye said.
She added that detailed examinations and all required clinical procedures are being carried out in line with established standards for managing cases of alleged sexual assault, while the security agency is carrying out their investigation simultaneously.
“The welfare, dignity, and safety of every survivor remains our utmost priority. The Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that “while we stand firmly with survivors, we are equally guided by due process.
“Investigations must be evidence-based, transparent, and fair to all parties involved, even as whosoever is found wanting would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
She urged residents to steer clear of speculative narratives or sensational commentary that could compromise due process while assuring them that the State Government would get to the bottom of the issue to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
Meanwhile, she assured members of the public that further updates would be communicated at the appropriate time as credible findings emerge from ongoing investigations.
Nigerian TikToker, known simply as Mirabel has finally opened up on the allegation of rape she earlier raised in a viral video.
It was recalls that the content creator, with the username @mirab351 had, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man at her residence in Ogun State.
She claimed that the alleged rapist inflicted an injury on her privates with a blade.
Her story generated reactions across social media, causing the Nigeria Police to swing into action.
Some netizens, however, expressed scepticism on the factuality of the allegation, stating that the stories were not adding up.
But the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said on Thursday that the command was investigating the matter.
However, Mirabel, who opened up to Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, VDM said she had been into drugs and could be hallucinating.
