Oko Jumbo

[4] Jumbo was a freed slave who became a lesser chief in Bonny, but managed to amass considerable wealth and thus power through astute trading.

When Lynslager's replacement arrived, he reported that "the four regents never lived in unity or unanimity ... consequently civil war was ever ripe around and about them... leading to immense loss of British property".

[7] On 6 March 1866, Bishop Crowther described Jumbo as the "most sensible and wealthy" man in Bonny, and noted that he had learned to read the first chapter of St. Matthew.

[5] In 1869, after Jaja had decided to relocate outside the city, the dispute flared up into civil warfare, in which the Manilla Pepples gained the advantage through acquisition of some old 32 lb carronades.

[7] Jaja left Bonny and established a rival settlement at Opobo, which controlled the river that supplied three-quarters of the palm oil of the district.

In 1879, King George visited England, where he was well received, given great attention in the press and presented with a steam launch.

Another son, Herbert Jumbo, who had been educated in England, quarrelled with his father and placed himself under the protection of the British consul.

[12] On his return trip, the ship Corisco he was travelling on was wrecked at the mouth of the River Cess, Liberia, but he managed to escape.

[15] In June 1886, refuting rumours that Jumbo had drowned in the shipwreck, a reporter said he had retired 40 miles into the interior, leaving all his affairs in the hands of his son Herbert.

[17] In John Whitford's book on the region published in 1877, Jumbo was described as "about forty-five years of age, slightly above the middle stature, well built, inclined to portliness; and has bright sparkling eyes and an intelligent face".