British conquest · June–July 1918
The Adubi war
In 1918 Britain brought direct taxes, on top of forced labour and fees, to Egbaland, which had kept its own government until 1914.
Overview
In 1918 Britain brought direct taxes, on top of forced labour and fees, to Egbaland, which had kept its own government until 1914. On 7 June the British arrested 70 Egba chiefs. About 30,000 rebels rose, tore up the railway at Agbesi and derailed a train, burned the station at Wasinmi, and killed a European agent and the Osile of Oke-Ona, David Sokunbi Karunwi II. For three weeks they fought colonial troops, many of them just back from East Africa, at Otite, Tappona, Mokoloki and Lalako. By 10 July the rising was crushed. About 600 people died, Abeokuta’s independence was abolished, and the direct tax was postponed until 1925.[1],[2]High confidence
Who took part
- British forces· Colonial force
- Egba rebels· Rose up
What happened
- 7 June 1918 · Abeokuta
Seventy chiefs arrested
The British arrest 70 Egba chiefs and order the resisters to lay down their arms and pay the tax.[1]
- 13 June 1918 · Wasinmi
The railway torn up
Rebels pull up the line at Agbesi and derail a train, demolish Wasinmi station, and kill the Osile and a British agent.[1]
- June–10 July 1918 · South of Abeokuta (approximate)
Three weeks of fighting
Colonial troops fight the rebels at Otite, Tappona, Mokoloki and Lalako. Leaders are killed or arrested; about 600 die.[1]
Kingdoms involved
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).