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Battle of Òsogbo

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Yoruba-Fulani War
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Battle of Òsogbo
Part of the Fula jihads
Osogbo is located in AfricaOsogboOsogboclass=notpageimage| Location of Osogbo in Africa
Date1838
Locationthe outskirts of Osogbo, a Yoruba town in present day Nigeria7°46′N 4°34′E / 7.767°N 4.567°E / 7.767; 4.567
Result

Decisive Ibadan victory

  • Halt of Ilorin expansion Into Yoruba territory
  • Four Ilorin Generals Captured or executed
  • Rise of Ibadan as central Power in the Yoruba region
Belligerents
Sokoto Caliphate
Ilorin Emirate		 Ibadan Republic
Osogbo
Commanders and leaders
  • Emir Shitta
  • Balogun Gambari Ali
  • Balogun Ajikobi
  • General Lateju
  • Balogun Oderinlo
  • Obele Alias Mobitan
  • Alade Abimpagun
  • General Abitiko
  • General Lajubu
    • Strength
    Unknown Unknown
    Casualties and losses
    Hundreds of soldiers Unknown

    The Battle of Òsogbo took place in 1838 and was a major battle of the Fula jihads of Yorubaland.

    Background

    The Battle of Osogbo, was an important moment in Yoruba history. Following the earlier Eleduwe War, the Fulani Ilorin forces, led by their Hausa Balogun Gambari Ali, laid siege to Osogbo, aiming to conquer the entire Yorubaland. The King of Osogbo sought aid from Ibadan, the most powerful state in northern Yorubaland at the time. Initial Ibadan reinforcements proved insufficient, and the Ilorin forces continued their advance. The besieged city and its allies were confined to surrounding thickets, prompting the Basorun of Ibadan to lead a decisive counter-attack. This move was crucial, as a victory for the Ilorin would have resulted in their dominance over Yoruba territory.

    Battle

    The Ibadan army finally launched a surprise night attack on the Ilorin camp. The attack was carefully planned, with the Osogbo army and earlier auxiliaries forming the center, Chiefs Abitiko and Lajubu leading the right wing, and Balogun Oderinlo and the rest of the Ibadan war chiefs forming the left wing.

    The attack commenced around midnight, The first camp to be attacked was that of the Elese, the Ilorin leader, who was killed as soon as he appeared at his tent door. The Ilorin camp was caught off guard, and panic spread quickly. The Ilorin forces could not offer any meaningful resistance and melted away, with many falling victim to friendly fire in the chaos of their retreat.

    Aftermath

    The Ibadan generals, upholding a code of chivalry, released the two Ilorin commanders of Hausa origin. However, the commanders Lateju and Ajikobi, being Yoruba, were considered traitors and sent home as prisoners of war. Lateju was sentenced to death, while Ajikobi was sent to the Alafin of Oyo for execution.

    The Battle of Osogbo was a resounding victory for Ibadan, marking the end the Sokoto Caliphate's Jihad in Yoruba territory. Though still aiming to dominate the region, the Ilorin shifted their strategy to manipulation and alliances, hoping to weaken the Yoruba from within. This victory solidified Ibadan's dominance and effectively saved the Yoruba nation from becoming a tributary state to the Sokoto Caliphate.

    References

    1. Law, R. C. C. (June 1970). "The Chronology of the Yoruba Wars of the Early Nineteenth Century: A Reconsideration". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 5 (2): 211–222. JSTOR 41856842.
    2. Danmole, H. O. (1984). "The "Ta′līf akhbār al-Qurūn min umarā′ bilad Ilūrin": A Critique". History in Africa. 11: 57–67. doi:10.2307/3171627. JSTOR 3171627.
    3. Oyemakinde, Wale (June 1978). "The Impact of Nineteenth Century Warfare on Yoruba Traditional Chieftaincy". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 9 (2): 21–34. JSTOR 41857060.
    4. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1966). The History of the Yorubas: From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-02099-2.
    5. ^ akinwumi, ogundiran (2020). The Yoruba: A New History. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253051509.
    6. Danmole, H. O.; Falola, Toyin (1985). "Ibadan-Ilorin Relations in the Nineteenth Century: A Study in Imperial Struggles in Yorubaland". Transafrican Journal of History. 14. Gideon Were Publications: 21–35. JSTOR 24328516. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
    7. Ojo, Olatunji (2013). "The Atlantic Slave Trade and Local Ethics of Slavery in Yorubaland". African Economic History. 41: 73–100. JSTOR 43863307.
    8. Obayemi, Ade (June 1978). "The Sokoto Jihad and the 'O-Kun' Yoruba: A Review". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 9 (2): 61–87. JSTOR 418.
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