Benin Expedition of 1897

Benin Expedition of 1897
Part of the Scramble for Africa
Date 9–18 February 1897 Location Benin City, Benin Empire Result British victory
Belligerents
British Empire Niger Coast Protectorate	Benin Empire
Commanders and leaders
Harry Rawson	Ovonramwen Asoro N' lyokuo
Strength
1,200	Unknown

The Benin Expedition of 1897 was a punitive expedition by a British force of 1,200 men under Sir Harry Rawson. It came in response to the ambush and slaughter of a 250 strong party led by British Acting Consul General James Phillips of the Niger Coast Protectorate.^[1] Rawson's troops captured Benin City, bringing to an end slavery and human sacrifice in Benin, and indeed the Kingdom of Benin itself, which was eventually absorbed into colonial Nigeria.^[1] The expedition freed slaves held by the Oba.^[2]

Current day policy of the Nigerian government see all repatriated Benin Bronzes turned over to the ownership of Ewuare II, the current Oba of Benin and direct descendant of the ruler of Benin overthrown by the British in 1897. Many descendants of the freed slaves still remain in the Benin area today and thus returning the Benin Bronzes to the descendant of the ruler enriched by their slave trading and human sacrifice has caused much controversy nationally and internationally.