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War · 1835–1837

The Eleduwe war (Battle of Ilorin)

Alaafin Oluewu refused the emir of Ilorin's call to pay homage, raised troops from Oyo's old vassals and allied with Borgu.

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Overview

Alaafin Oluewu refused the emir of Ilorin's call to pay homage, raised troops from Oyo's old vassals and allied with Borgu. Sero Kpera, king of Nikki, led the Bariba with Ki-Yaru of Kaiama, a prince of Wawa and a representative of Bussa. Ilorin's emir Abdussalami, reinforced from Gwandu and Sokoto, far outnumbered them. On the first day the allies drove Ilorin back to its city; on the second, with many Oyo chiefs distrusting the Alaafin and his Bariba allies, Ilorin's cavalry turned a flank and struck from behind. Sero Kpera, Oluewu and his eldest son, and the leaders of Wawa and Kaiama were all killed. When the news reached Oyo-Ile its people abandoned the capital.[1],[2]High confidence

The New Oyo point marks the direction of flight only.

Who took part

What happened

  1. Day one · Ilorin

    Ilorin driven to its walls

    Only a cavalry counter-attack saves Ilorin from rout.[1]High confidence

  2. Day two · Ilorin

    The kings fall

    Sero Kpera, Alaafin Oluewu and the chiefs of Wawa and Kaiama are killed.[1]High confidence

  3. After the battle · Oyo-Ile (Old Oyo)

    Oyo-Ile emptied

    The capital's people flee south.[1]High confidence

Kingdoms involved

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Battle of Ilorin
  2. Wikipedia contributors. Borgu