Oba Overami and his Council of Chiefs having been informed by Chief Dore that the whitemen are planning an attack on them in revenge for the killings of the seven whitemen have resolved to evacuate the city. They do not see the point in loss of civilian lives. They would however fight to the last soldier standing.
References
1) Boisragon, A. The Benin Massacre, 1897, page 160
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE. DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, February 6 1897.
References
1) Boisragon, A. The Benin Massacre, 1897, page 160
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE. DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, February 6 1897.