[1] In 1849, Britain appointed John Beecroft Consul of the Bights of Benin and Biafra, a position he held (along with his governorship of Fernando Po) until his death in 1854.

Akitoye recognized the need for British military alliance (and the requirement to give up the slave trade) as a necessary condition for taking back the throne.

[4] British missionaries sought the outright abolition of the slave trade and its replacement by legitimate commerce, and they wanted to carry out their evangelical work without risk or hindrance.

Similarly many of the liberated Saros (many of whom were Christians) by this time present in Lagos and Abeokuta were in a precarious situation, being persecuted and even returned to slavery.

[5] Bishop Crowther argued that if Lagos were placed under Akitoye and allied with Britain, British commercial interests would be guaranteed and the slave trade could be suppressed.

Beecroft then wrote to the senior officer of the Bights division, Commander Forbes, that it was time for the British Royal Navy to expel Kosoko and install Akitoye, the "rightful heir".

The first attack on November 25, 1851, was hastily organized and led by Commander Forbes, who underestimated Kosoko's defenses of about 5,000 men armed with muskets.

Although Bloodhound sustained heavy cannon fire from the shore, a landing party went ashore but met stiff resistance.