Wing Commander Ben Ekele was a highly accomplished fighter pilot and commander in the Nigerian Air Force. At 36 years old, he was arrested on December 17, 1985, and charged with conspiracy to commit treason for his alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Ekele’s impressive military career began in 1969, after completing his basic flying training. He went on to train on various aircraft, including the Czech-made L-29 Delphin, MiG 15, MiG 17, and MiG 21. He also attended the Royal Air Force in Britain, where he qualified on the Jet Provost Marks 4 & 5 and flew the Gnat fighter and Hawker Siddeley Hawk.
As a commander, Ekele played a key role in several military operations, including the Nigeria-Chad border conflict in 1983, where he led a strike aircraft group. He also commanded the Air Force detachment during Operation Sea Dog in Calabar.
Ekele’s achievements didn’t go unnoticed, as he was considered one of the best fighter pilots in Nigeria, Africa, and the world. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he was executed by firing squad on March 5, 1986, alongside 12 other officers for their alleged roles in the coup plot.
