P47500

Photograph of Chief Nana Olomu Long Caption: The title of 'Governor of Benin River' was given to Nana Olomu by the British in 1884. He exerted immense political power through a network of armed traders in palm oil working along the upper reaches of the river and he built a town in the mangrove swamps defended by flintlock guns and brass cannon. Partly through the machinations of a rival chief - Dogho, relations deteriorated with the acting Consul-General Ralph Moor In 1894. Following an attack on HMS 'Alecto's' cutter which was inspecting Nana's fortifications, a British naval expedition captured his town of Ebrohimi. He fled to Lagos Colony, but was tried and exiled to the Gold Coast from 1894-1906. After his return to Nigeria he lived at the town of Koko. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.  All rights reserved Object: P47500 Artist: unknown Date: circa 1884-1900 Medium: photograph Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.