Benin Expedition of 1897 | |||||||
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Part of the Scramble for Africa | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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 and the Kingdom of Benin was eventually absorbed into colonial Nigeria.[1] The expedition freed captives held by the Oba.[2]
Current 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 captives still remain in the Benin area today; thus, returning the Benin Bronzes to the descendant of the ruler enriched by their slave trading and human sacrifice has caused much controversy.
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