An iconic figure in Benin history, General Ologbosere bravely fought till the end to symbolize resistance to British rule. Between 1897 and 1899, Ologbosere waged a valiant two-year guerilla campaign against the British alongside fellow fighters such as Oviawe, Ebohon, and others. The photo caption depicts General Ologbosere, who was arrested by the British troops in the late 1800s and is seen in the image wearing shackles and a chain around his leg. Ologbosere refused to give up after the vicious British attack on Benin City in 1897, which destroyed the kingdom. Rather, he moved his faithful soldiers to neighboring towns and villages that helped the Edo resistance, taking the battle outside the city limits.
He coordinated continuous assaults on British outposts from these covert camps, using guerilla tactics to keep the colonial soldiers on edge. The British responded with terrible retaliation, destroying crops, burning down villages that provided support, and imprisoning the local leaders and youth. Eventually, Ologbosere betrayed his mastery due to the ferocity of these counterattacks. In 1899, a few tired peasants, exhausted from the harsh consequences, gave him up to the British army.
The resistance spirit persisted even after Ologbosere was captured. The anti-British movement’s resolve was strengthened by the incarceration of important figures like Chief Ebohon and Ologbosere, which further submerged it. Ologbosere’s leadership in the war established a lasting legacy that continues to this day, serving as a reminder of the unwavering struggle for freedom and sovereignty against colonial oppression. This historical episode serves as a potent reminder of the intricacies and long-lasting effects of colonialism in Nigeria, with Ologbosere’s resistance movement representing an important—if frequently overlooked—fight against imperial dominance.
