>>18083067
Also, it is unlikely that only Benin and Nupe in the Nigerian region had infantry that used armor. For example, in Robert Smith's book Warfare and Diplomacy in Pre-Colonial West Africa (1976) he notes that "two hauberks are preserved in the palace at Owo in south-eastern Yorubaland" (p 78). I have no doubt that several other groups in the Nigerian region did use infantry armor as well (in particular, I suspect that the Igala and the Jukun did) but finding more examples of or references to surviving armor that did not degrade and deteriorate with the elements would probably be very difficult.

There is also some mention of body armor in Christopher Spring's book African Arms & Armour (1993), and if I recall correctly a few of those cases do refer to armor used by infantry rather than cavalry, but I don't have access to a copy of that book right now. Really what I posted above is just what I could recollect, access and post here most easily.