War · 1860–1862
The Ijaye war
After Old Oyo fell, refugee warlords built new military towns.
Overview
After Old Oyo fell, refugee warlords built new military towns. At Ijaye, Kurunmi, the Are-Ona-Kakanfo (field marshal) of the Yoruba, ruled as a near-dictator. Ibadan, the other rising power, wanted to be the only one. The spark was the estate of a rich woman named Abu, who died without a will at Ijanna, a town under Ijaye. Her property was due to the new Alaafin, Adelu, but Kurunmi’s men seized his messengers, and Adelu asked Ibadan to make war. On 10 April 1860 Ibadan’s Balogun Ibikunle declared it. Egba, Ijebu and Ilorin sided with Ijaye against Ibadan. Ogunmola cut Ijaye’s food supply, five of Kurunmi’s sons were killed, and Kurunmi himself died in June 1861. Ijaye fell on 17 March 1862 and was destroyed. Its people scattered to Abeokuta, Ibadan, Oyo and Lagos, and the town was only resettled in 1895.[1],[2],[3]High confidence
Ijaye is drawn at Orile Ijaye, the town resettled in 1895 on the old site.
Who took part
- Ibadan (Balogun Ibikunle, Otun Ogunmola)· Attacked
- Alaafin Adelu of Oyo· Ally
- Ijaye (Are Kurunmi)· Defended
- Egba of Abeokuta· Ally
What happened
- 10 April 1860 · Ibadan
Ibadan raises the standard of war
At the Ibadan council, Balogun Ibikunle declares war on Kurunmi at the Alaafin’s request.[1]
- June 1861 · Ijaye
Kurunmi dies
With his food cut off by Ogunmola and five of his sons killed, Kurunmi dies and is buried in secret. His slave chief Abogunrin takes command.[1]
- 17 March 1862 · Ijaye
Ijaye falls
Ibadan takes and destroys Ijaye. In revenge the Egba and Ijebu seize Remo towns (Ijebu takes Iperu and the Egba take Makun) and close Ibadan’s roads to the coast.[1]
Kingdoms involved
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).