Following their conquest of Ilorin, the Fulani sacked the old Oyo Empire in 1835/1836. Still unsatisfied, they aimed to expand their dominion further into Yorubaland and, in 1840, set their sights on capturing Osogbo. The Fulani forces, under the command of Ali, the Hausa Balogun of Ilorin, laid siege to the town.
Recognizing the strength of the Ilorin forces, the King of Osogbo appealed to Ibadan for assistance. Ibadan initially dispatched auxiliary forces under the command of Obele (alias Mobitan) and Alade Abimpagun. These proved insufficient, and a larger contingent was sent under a more experienced leader. However, the Ilorin forces prevailed in every engagement, gaining ground.
Realizing the growing threat to Yorubaland, Ibadan deployed a substantial force under Balogun Oderinlo to confront the Ilorin invaders. Upon arriving at the battlefield, Oderinlo’s forces recognized the gravity of the situation. The Ilorin cavalry held a significant advantage in open terrain, forcing the Ibadan army to remain within the cover of the town’s thickets for approximately 20 days. Oderinlo stressed the urgent need for Elepo, a brave Ibadan warrior, at the front. Elepo had previously fallen out of favor with Ibadan’s war chiefs following the Agbamaja expedition.
Upon receiving Oderinlo’s message, the Bashorun, though willing to send Elepo, hesitated to go against the other war chiefs. Instead, he provided Elepo with a cow to sacrifice to his god, Ori, and pray for Ibadan’s victory.
Knowing they couldn’t face the Ilorin cavalry in daylight, the Ibadan army planned a nighttime assault. Around 2 PM, the well-prepared Ibadan forces left Osogbo, maintaining strict vigilance against spies. About a mile from the Ilorin camp, they halted to organize their attack.
The Osogbo army and the initial auxiliaries would form the center, Chiefs Abitiko and Labuju would command the right wing, and Balogun Oderinlo and the other Ibadan war chiefs would lead the left wing. The attack was timed for midnight. The watchword was “Elo ni owo odo?” (How much is the ferry fare?), chosen because the Osun River had to be crossed to reach Osogbo from the south, and anyone unfamiliar with this would likely be an enemy.
The midnight attack threw the Ilorin camp into chaos. The Ibadan army set fire to the camp, and the Ilorin forces, caught off guard, offered little resistance, hampered by smoke from gunpowder.
The attack was a resounding success for Ibadan. Several Ilorin war chiefs were captured, including Jimba, the Emir’s head slave; a son of Ali, the commander-in-chief; Chief Lateju; and Ajikobo, the Yoruba Balogun of Ilorin. The first two were released, while the latter two, considered traitors due to their Yoruba origins, were executed. This victory was celebrated throughout Yorubaland.
Following the Osogbo victory, Ibadan conquered Ibokun, an Ijesa town allied with Ilorin. This victory solidified Ibadan’s military power, leading to further conquests and expansion.
Among these conflicts was the Kiriji War, where Ibadan formed an alliance with the Igbajos. Although Igbajo became the war’s primary battleground for many years, it was never captured by the Ekiti Parapo warriors. Instead, many Ekiti warriors met their defeat there.
Notable warriors in the Kiriji War included Fabunmi Okeemesi, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of the Ijesas, Apasikoto Pasigegele of Igbajo, and Latoosa of Ibadan, among others.
The Kiriji War holds significance as the last war fought in Yorubaland and the longest indigenous war in Africa.
Since then, the Yoruba people have strengthened their unity and maintained peace.
It is vital to continue educating our children about Yoruba history and the bonds forged by our ancestors, reinforcing our shared identity. If Ibadan warriors could sacrifice their lives for Osogbo, saving other Yoruba towns and preventing further bloodshed, then modern Yorubas have no excuse for division, regardless of political or other motivations.
