BY THE ALLIED ARMY AS A RESULT OF OWU WARS: 1550 - 1825
By: ESV. Tomori M.A. anivs, rsv, mnim
Email: lolatomori1@gmail.com
Background History of L agelu
Lagelu (a.k.a. Oroo Apatamaja), a war-chief (Jagun Osun) from Dalegu compound, Ajamapo area of oke Eso in Ile-Ife was the founder of Ibadan. He was the grandson of Orunto (or Obalufe), the prime minister of Ile-Ife and Head of Ooni-in-council. His mother was the daughter of Ooni Luwo Gbagida, the only female in Ife history who married Chief Obaloran, a member of the council of Ooni of Ife (Chief (Dr.) M.A. Fabunmi, 1985).
Benin Army Invaded Iddo Island (1505 - 1578)
When he was still in Ife, a legend had it that he led Ife army as Jagun Osun to assist the children of Olofin Ogunfunminire, the progenitor of the Awori’s who founded Iseri between 1425 and 1505 with the king of Gbagura referred to as Agura fought against the Benin army who invaded Iddo Island near Lagos founded by the Aworis. The children were; Olumegbon, Oluwa, Onitona, Onitoolo, Elegusi, Aromire, Olooto and Ojora. The invasion took place during the reign of Oba Egbua Orhogbua (1505 – 1578). The Aromires later swam across the Lagoon to Lagos Island in the middle of the 15th century for fishing and farming (Oluremi I. Obateru, 2006). They constituted the “IDEJO” who are the traditional land owners and White Cap Chiefs in Lagos. When a Portuguese expedition led by Ruy de Sequeira landed there, Eko was changed to Lagos in 1472A.D.
Thereafter, about the 16th century, during or after the Alaafin Onigbogi’s reign between (1530-1542), Lagelu “Oroo Apatamoja”; led a group of men and women and interested people out to found a new settlement, known as EBA ODAN later known as Ibadan around 1550A.D. According to Prince Adelegan Adegbola in his book titled: “IFE: The Source of Yoruba civilization, 2009 page 136”. Ibadan at the interface of the forest and the savannah was founded in the 16th century by Lagelu from Ile-Ife.
Invasion of Oyo-Ile by Tapa
During this period Alaafin Onigbogi who reigned between (1530-1542) received the worst pressure and attack from Nupe. He was of Ibaraba’s mother’s. He therefore fled to Gbere in his mother’s homeland for refuge, according to Chief M.O. Ogunmola (2000, 2010).
The desertion of Oyo capital led to many emigrations to Egba, Egbado, Ibolo, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa areas as contained in “Iwe Itan Oyo” by Samuel Ojo Bada, the Bada of Saki at page 47. The Nupe king by then was Etsu Jibraila.
Prince Adelagun Adegbola (2009) described the location of Ibadan at that time as between Remo, Ijebu and Egba on one hand and Oyo on the other hand. Therefore, Ibadan must have benefitted from emigration of Oyo refugees to Egba areas where Ibadan is situated.
Lagos Came Under Benin’s Influence in 1630
Lagelu as Jagun of Old Oyo Kingdom was assisted the children of Ogunfunminire when he founded Ibadan in the 16th century by intervening in the struggle for the hegemony of Lagos between Benin Kingdom backed Asipa and Ado on one hand and Aromire and his brothers on the other in 1630A.D. Olofin was the first Oba of Lagos.
According to Dr. J.A Atanda (1980 pg. 17), the Olofin dynasty was later superseded by Asipa, an Iseri chief whose origin like those of Ogunfunminire and Olofin, is traced to the royal family of Ile-Ife where Lagelu came from.
While hosting the Awori people currently domiciled in Lagos and Ogun states by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, he said that Olofin Ogunfunminire, the progenitor of the Aworis, was a Sooko in Ile-Ife before his departure hundred years ago (TRIBUNE of Tuesday, 11 December, 2018). Ooni went further that Ooni Aribiwoso was on the throne when Olofin Ogunfunminire left Ile-Ife. He was the 27th Ooni of Ife (Chief (Dr.) M.A. Fabunmi, 1985).
Asipa was said to have found favour with Benin rulers and was given authority to rule over Lagos as the new Oba with necessary regalia given to him in the 1630s. Ado was the next Oba and followed by Gabaro and later by Akinsemoyin etc. It was during the reign of Obasemoyin that the foundation of Iga Idunganran, Oba’s palace, was laid and constructed.
Furthermore, the Europeans, particularly the Portuguese, came to Lagos in 1704 and that was during the reign Oba Akinsemoyin and that was the beginning of slave trade. From the 17th century, Lagos Princes and Kings had married into Badagry families. Oba Akinsemoyin married from Badagry, while Oba Adele’s mother came from the same place, Badagry (Prince Adelegan Adegbola 2009).
This explains why chief I.B. Akinyele (1911) wrote in “Iwe Itan Ibadna: that when Prince of Iseri from Oloto family of Ido had problem in the royal house, he came to seek refuge in the second Ibadan at Oriyangi, established by the descendants of Lagelu because of the relationship between Ibadan and the Awori people of Iseri. He was allocated a quarter named “Itun Iseri” out of the six quarters of the town
Lagelu on his way from Ile-Ife gave his sister in marriage to Elejigbo of Ejigbo as a mark of friendship. After settling down in Ebaodan which meterphosed into Ibadan, he got married to the daughter of Agura of Gbagura, his neighbour. He also got married to the daughter of Akarigbo of Ijebu Remo. The daughter of his first son, Nkan Lola, got married to Olowu Akinjobi
History is therefore a record of current events passed down to prosperity. The nature of Yoruba history is replete with many drawbacks because a good proportion of it is traditional, handed down from elders to listening youths, some of it was legendary assuming the posture of the truth following the continual repetition to succeeding generations. Except recorded history can be backed up with authentic documents of objective facts, figures and dates, its credibility is suspect and controversial.
The time has come to move from the state of historical ignorance to the historical informative age. Indeed, a lack of ancestral knowledge is a potential danger to the leadership of a race, like the Yoruba. Also, to tamper with the historical truth is a treason, and a crime against humanity.
The editor of the book written by Rev. Samuel Johnson in 1897 who died in 1901, but published in 1921 by another Dr. Johnson had made it known to the whole world that: “the original manuscripts of the book had got lost in the hands of the publisher and they could not be found”. Some chapters had to be rewritten, some curtailed, other amplified and new ones added where necessary (Adelegan Adegbola, 2009).
Therefore, whatever historical information we are reading from the book by Rev. Samuel Johnson does not represent the original historical facts if we compare some areas and chapters of the book with other books of Yoruba history written by other scholars.
Since the publication of “The City of Ibadan” in 1967 by P.G. Lloyd, A.L. Mabogunje and Bolanle Awe (editors), quite a number of books have emerged on the city which has now become a sub-saharan and cosmopolitan phenomenon. The new theory emerging is that the 19th century city of Ibadan which became a war camp and successor to the great Oyo Empire was actually the third emergence of a primordial city state (Prof. Dele Layiwola, 2015).
Founding of the First Ibadan
In a paper delivered by the late High Chief (Dr.) J.A. Ayorinde titled “Democracy And Obaship: Case Study of Ibadan” at Kuti Hall, University of Ibadan on 10th October, 1983, he confirmed that: The founder of Ibadan was Lagelu who was the first legendary traditional and crowned head of Ibadan. He was a chieftain from Ife, and whose popular appellation was “Oro” Apa’ta-ma-ja (Oro! a-pa-ota-Ibon ma-ja), a fastidious non-soldier and professional blacksmith whose main function was to wrought or manufactured bullets for use of hunters and soldiers.
Before setting out on his journey in the 16th century (Adelegan Adegbola; 2009) with his entire household, he consulted the Ifa oracle for the purpose of prying into the future of his proposed adventurous bid. As a result of the consultation with Ifa, Osemeji (Ose-Meji) was the Odu Corpus prescribed for him. Both Oke’badan and Ose-meji Shrines are now at Oja’ba where the Olubadan of Ibadan including Bales who reigned before 1936 were crowned by Labosinde, the Oluwo of Ibadan.
The site on which Ibadan was founded was originally known as Igbo-Ipara (Ipara Forest). The root of this Ipara tree has always been well sought-after by hunters and soldiers for the preparation of Odi- a concoction for hardihood of a sort of “Marijuana” or “heroin” of the day.
Chief Ayorinde went further that the city of Ibadan was founded at the interface of forest and the savannah areas respectively, and was given the descriptive name of Eba-Odan by the travelers who were giving their co-travelers an idea of where they met with their caravans. The name “Eba-Odan” ecliptically became “Eba’dan” until it then became “Ibadan” age long market centre of repute.
Chief (Dr.) M.A Fabunmi, the Odole Atobase of Ile-Ife in his book titled “IFE: The Genesis of Yoruba Race” published in 1985 confirmed the origin of Lagelu at page 46 that: “Ibadan was founded by a warrior-chief from Ile-Ife who was called Lagelu and nicknamed Oro-Apata-Maja. He hailed from Atiki compound in the Ilare ward of Ile-Ife”, but was later found to be born at DEGELU Compound to Obalufe dynasty of Ile-Ife.
In the Nigerian Tribune of Friday 30th January, 2009. The Ooni Sijuade Olubuse II of Ile-Ife replied the Alaafin of Oyo at Awo’s book launch as follow: “The first founder of Ibadan, known as Prince Adio Lagelu was a direct son of Ooni Luwo Gbagida, the 18th Ooni of Ife (1363-1410), who had a beaded crown with fringe benefits sent to settle in Ibadan in the 16th century and not in 1401 A.D”. as claimed by Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife. Iwo was founded by Olumade Pariu, the grandson of Prince Adekola Telu of the same mother with Lagelu. Prince Adekola Telu and his three children reigned at Igbo-Orita near Ilesa for 208 years before Iwo was established by Olumade Pariu the son of Jikanmu who was the third son of Adekola Telu (I.B. Akinyele, 1911 and Adelegan Adegbola 2009).
Chief I.B. Akinyele (1911) described the first Ibadan as a nodal town with 16 gates and a population of about 100,000 people having access to the neighbouring towns of Oyo, Egba, Ijebu and Ife. Thus, Ibadan was demographically important to the old Oyo Empire and must have contributed to the transformation of the society in the 16th century when Oyo-Ile was sacked during or after the reign of Alaafin Onigbogi (1530-1542), according to J.A. Atanda (1971). With the desertion of Old Oyo-Ile, Onigbogi fled to Gbere in Ibariba Kingdom, his mother’s home while the inhabitants fled southward to Ibolo, Popo and Egba forest, Egbado, and Ibarapa areas.
Lagelu’s Relationship With His Neighbours in the 17th Century
Prince Lagelu Adio on founding the first Ibadan, known as Eba-Odan at the interface of forest and grassland which metamorphosed into Ibadan, got married to the daughter of Oba Agura of Gbagura Kingdom with IDO as headquarters who gave birth to Atage Oota (a.k.a Olomu Oru). He also got married to Oba Akarigbo of Ijebo-Remo’s daughter who gave birth to Efunyele.
Atage Oota Olomu Oru and Efunyele, according to the current Aboke Ifamapowa, were the first set of Abokes who worshipped Oke-Badan hills. Nkan-Lola, the daughter of Olukiran Oluole, the first son of Lagelu got married to Olowu Akinjobi who later migrated to Ibadan and established Owu Ogbere which was destroyed in 1825 by the allied armies of Ife, Ijebu, Oyo and friendly Egbas after Olowu Akinjobi had sacrificed Nkan-Lola to Oba River.
When the second Ibadan was established, the Prince of Iseri in Egbado District was one of the early settlers late in the 18th century. He was allocated a quarter in the new town called: “Itun-Isheri/Ilaro”. The six quarters were in conformity with the Yoruba tradition of dividing ancient cities into quarters/compounds where you have the lineages residing.
Moreover, with increasing population and the location of the first Ibadan at the interface of savannah with the forest region, Ibadan had produced a huge and growing market for food producers and manufactures especially with the flourishing 70 blacksmith in the town manufacturing guns and farming implements. The estimated 100,000 population of Ibadan was comparable to the merchant cities of Europe such as Bruges with a population of 100,000 in 1500 A.D.; Venice with a population of 150,000 in 1600A.D. and Amsterdam with a population of 200,000 in 1700A.D. (Fernand Braudel, Civilization and Capitalism. 1981 …479).
According to Myers and Owusu (2008), the population of some African cities that existed prior to 1500s such as (Cairo, Tunis, Ibadan, Jenne and Kano) had population sizes that were comparable to many European cities prior to the rise of European cities to powers, while other areas were essentially devoid of large-scale urbanism.
Fig. 1: The Old Oyo Empire in the 18th Century
Events at the Close of the 18th Century
I.B. Akinyele (1911) in his book wrote that it took three years to subdue Lagelu army by the Oyo army including their allies from other Yoruba kingdoms because the secrete of Egungun was exposed in Ibadan. It took about twelve years to stay on the hill top after their escape from the first settlement. They suffered on the hill and later came down to settle at a low valley near Owaala Stream where other neighbours joined Lagelu children and relatives.
Basorun Gaha’s Atrocities (1754-1774)
As they are settling down for the second time, Oyo Empire entered the most distressing period in Oyo history between (1754-1774). It witnessed the constitutional upheaval of great magnitude in which Basorun Gaha, head of the Oyomesi, raised five Alaafins to the throne, but with cunning and subversion, killed four of them except Alaafin Abiodun (1774-1789).
Destruction of Ijaiye (1774-1789)
During the reign of Alaafin Abiodun he avenged the alleged insult from Bale of Ijaye by ordering the destruction of Ijaiye town. Ijaye was then an Egba town and that was the first time Ijaye was taken, a town which was destined thereafter to play a notable part in Yoruba history (Rev. Samuel Johnson, 1921).
Ijaiye again was re-occupied between (1831-1833) during the reign of King Amodo, the then Alaafin of Oyo, who organized Kanla war during which Adegun (the Onikoyi and Ojo Amepo were killed. On the occasion, Kurunmi and Dado, important war generals of the Alaafin, escaped from Ikoyi, first to Akese, then finally to Ijaiye (see map 1.0 next page)
Revolution of the Egbas:
Both the genesis of disintegration and revival had reared their ambivalent heads in the reigns of Alaafin Abiodun, according to Chief M.O. Ogunmola, 2009 pg. 11). The atrocities, ambition and greed of Basorun Gaha that had taken the reigns of four Alaafins to flourish met its waterloo under Alaafin Abiodun Adegolu (1775 to 1789), but the repercussion had dented the structure and harmony of the Empire.
The Egbas under lisabi of Itoku (agbein revolted and killed the Ilaris of the Alaafin who exploited the religious fears of the people to feather their own nests in order to extort enormous tribute for the Alaafin (Prof. Saburi Biobaku, 2991). Amosu of Ikija in Oke-Ona, Arinakoju of Ojoo and Akila of Ido, joined Lisabi in the revolt. They later migrated to Abeokuta from the second Ibadan to establish Abeokuta between 1829 and 1830, where they competed with Ibadan and Ijaiye.
With the death of Alaafin Abiodun, the revolution ensued, and the tribal independence, with the loss to Yoruba the Tapas, Bariba, and Dahomey Provinces, and the Popos later joined. In other word, with Abiodun ended the unity of the Yoruba kingdom.
Lagelu Sacred Grove on Eleiyele Hills:
The site of the tomb of Lagelu on Awotan Hills with the adjourning surrounding remains a sacred ground. Two hundred meters square from the tomb, all shoes must be removed. It is assumed that anyone with shoes on is trampling on the remains of Lagelu.
The present site is embarrassing; a hut with palm thatched roof, shelters the remains of the great man. No one would have imagined that there lies the famous Lagelu, Oro Apata Maja, the founder of the largest city in Africa South of the Sahara. It is embarrassing that the situation has remained as it is for years after the exit of the great warrior and further of Ibadan.
There are three prominent hills on the plateau of Awotan. These are
Igbo Oke’badan
Oke Oso
Oke Odo Eleyele
Each of this hill has distinctive historical significance. It was at the peak of Igbo Oke’badan that a masquerade leading an Egba invasion if Ibadan in the 18th century as eternally destroyed. Legend has it that Lagelu, was forbidden from setting eyes on any masquerade. From the valley where he stood, he commanded the masquerade to be swallowed inside the bowels of the mountain. When the invading forces saw what happened, they scampered in different directions for safety.
The second hill Oke Oso, constantly emitted smoke, suggesting the presence of volcanic activities. But today the hill has remained dormant but the traces and signs of its past antecedents are still present.
The third hill, Oke Odo Eleyele, offered sanctuary to a number of creatures, particularly birds of different species as the doves, the goose and pigeons which swamp the foot of the hill with a perennial stream (Otenru) running through it and which empties its waters into the Eleyele dam.
Today, the stream is still running but strangely the beautiful birds no longer patronize the site. The source of Otenru stream is close to a village called Oriogbo Ojuabere.
Cultural Settlements and Development of Ibadan
It was reported by high Chief (Dr.) Ayorinde (1983) that an Ifa divination was performed when some traditional religions worshippers with sacrifices arrived to sanctify Ibadan with sacrifices when Lagelu founded the first Ibadan. Before setting out from Ile-Ife as a result of consultation with Ifa, Osemeji, (Ose-Meji) was Odu Corpus prescribed for him.
The city patriarch, prince Lagelu Adio, and six diviners priests were present on the site and appeared again on three occasions in the life of the city. According to Bolaji Idowu, these were:
The populace sought divine blessing on the new settlements for prosperity. The Oke-Ibadan (or the Spirit of Ibadan Hill) was instituted as a totem of worship.
The oracle was consulted on how to preserve the growing population and the emerging prosperity
A siege was laid on Ibadan and its expansion and security was threatened, Osemeji (meaning double victory) appeared again to reassure the inhabitants of a slow but steady and persistent growth as in the movement of snails. The sign is concerned with (a) survival, (b) wealth (c) fertility and (d) victory. These are consistent with the occupations identified with the founders of the city in its early stages.
In a similar event, the Odu Ifa for Ajagunla (Ifa Corpus) with which Orangun of Ila left Ile-Ife was “Osemeji” meaning “oro-mi-gun”. His real name is Ifagbamila. His mother, by name Adetinrin Anasin was found by the riverside before Oduduwa made her his wife.
The Osemeji Shrine at Oja’ba is closely linked with the coronation of Olubadan of Ibadanland. A new Olubadan (formerly Baale) will not be proclaimed king or an Oba until he has visited Oluwo LABOSINDE and Osemeji Shrine at Oja’a (instead of Lagelu grave at Eleyele) the owner and founder of Ibadan.
Fig. 1: The Grove of Lagelu at Eleyele Hill
Fig. 2: Eleyele Reservoir surrounded by Awotan Hills
According to Chief Okunola (2015), the founding Odu or Ifa sign for the city (each and every legitimate Yoruba Town always has his founding Odu), is Osemeji, a uniform, binary accreditation which predicted that like the totemic snail, the emerging city of Ibadan would unfold slowly but progressively until it subsumes its own ramifying suburbs. This is analogous to its Coat of Arms (see the traditional stave).
As predicted from the Ifa ministration at the founding of the town, it would be a hospitable abode for visitors and settles. Even vagrants might find prosperity in this liberal, conducive town. Its chieftaincy line has been liberal and generous to indigenes and settlers. It is thus a cosmopolitan and representative Yoruba town, hospitality being its mainspring. There has never been a time when strangers and settlers have had cause for anxiety about the safety of their lives and property.
The cultural importance at this point is that Ibadan inspite of the pure serendipity (pleasant happening, calm and peaceful) connected with its location and founding, is still a traditional and spiritual home to its inhabitants. Any Yoruba settlement, thus inaugurated by solid traditional is often assured of its safety and stability.
Fig. 3: Picture of Olubadan Staff of Office
Foundation of the Second Ibadan
“History needs to be, as indeed it is, re-written from time to time and past events re-valued in the light of fresh developments and new ideas”. R.G. Collingwood. So history is not to be limited to a simple record of what is known or believed to have occurred, history is more properly concerned with examining, analyzing, and explaining past events, particularly in human affairs.
The “Second Ibadan” was described as Egba settlement by many authors and scholars including Rev. Samuel Johnson (1921), and Professor Toyin Falola at page 2 of his book: Ibadan: Foundation, Growth and Change - 1830 – 1960 published in 2012. However, according to I.B. Akinyele in “Iwe Itan Ibadan (1911)” described “second Ibadan” as one established by Lagelu and his children at “Oriyangi” now called “Oja-Iba” at the foot of Mapo hill.
The praise poem of Lagelu and his descendants at the “Second Ibadan settlement” called “Oriyangi” according to I.B. Akinyele (1911) was:
Ibadan, Omo ajorosun
Omo a je gbin yo;
Omo a fikarahun fori mu;
Ibadan maja bi ojo kini;
Ti o ja aladugbo gbogbo logun
Translation
Ibadan, the one whose supper is oro fruit;
The descendants of the who fed on snails;
The descendants of the one who use snail
Shell as bowl to serve his maize porridge;
Ibadan, don’t fight, as you did before;
As you fight all neighbours at war.
According P.C. Lloyd, Nigerian Historian at University College, Ibadan: “A knowledge of the Yoruba past must be gleaned from myths, legends, folk-tales, praise-songs and the like, all of which are rapidly being forgotten by all the younger generation”.
Thus, in an attempt to write about the founding of the Ancient City of Ibadan, it appears pertinent to recent such knowledge as well as what some ancient and contemporary historians have written about IBADAN.
The Effects of Owu Wars on Second Ibadan
According to the address by the Olowu of Abeokuta, Oba Adegboyega Dosumu at the 8th Owu Day Celebration in 2007, all the Owu Settlements in the northern part of Yorubaland (below River Niger) are older settlements than the southern forest region.
Owu and Ife War
The Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Toyeje, the Baale of Ogbomosho and second in command to Aare Afonja in 1810 A.D. instigated Owu at Ipole, whose king (Olowu) by then was Olowu Amororo, to attack Ile-Ife because of slave trade at Apomu. In carrying out the orders, Owu attacked and destroyed Ikoyi Igbo, Apomu, Ikire, Itahakun, Iseyin-Odo, Iwata, Gbangan, Akinboto, Jagun etc.
Ife, Ijebu and Owu War
As Ife was about to revenge, the Ife army led by Balogun Singunsin was halted at Adubieye near Iwo by Oluwo of Iwo because he felt they were not strong enough to face Owu. The Ife army had to stay at Adubieye for five (5) years between (1811-1814) before Ife formed alliance with Ijebu army and jointly declared war on Owu Ipole for five (1814-1820) (Osife-Kunde) and six years according to Rev. Samuel Johnson (1921 page 2009).
The Owus at Owu Ipole ran out of their heavily fortified city in about 1820. They thereafter escaped through their southern gate led by Olowu Akinjobi and entered their assailant territories through Ijebu Igbo and spread southward, settling in places like Ikija, Omu, Ayepe and other places.
However, the main body of Owu that escaped went towards Ibadan (i.e. Second Ibadan) and not Erunmu as claimed by Rev. Samuel Johnson in “The History of Yorubas (1921)”. Considering the Southward movement of Owu people, the earliest record showed their encounter with the pre-1820 first Ibadan settlement (see “Iwe Itan Ibadan by Oba I.B. Akinyele, Olubadan of Ibadan, 1954-1964).
According to Olowu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu at the 8th Owu Day Celebration in 2007; “although every movement was as a result of war, Owu did not fight Ibadan but instead entered peacefully. This is because Ibadan leaders had earlier sent them an Olive branch”. According to Oba I.B. Akinyele, there was an agreement between Ibadan (i.e. Second Ibadan) and Olowu made with new hoe referred to as “Oko titun adeun Olowu”.
Oba Dosumu confirmed in his address that Ibadan even offred them (the Owus) a place to settle, spreading from Itun-Lisa (Quarters allocated to Olowu Akinjobi’s son) in Ibadan to Basorun and Iwo Road including the place now known as Owu Orile near Ikire. Owu in Ibadan is known as Owu Ogbere in Owu history.
The second settlement of Ibadan had six quarters, according to I.B. Akinyele in “Iwe Itan Ibadan 1921” as follows:
Itun Elemo - Aboke’s Quarters
Oke Igbede - Oba (the King’s Quarters)
Itun Lisa - Crown Prince of Olowu Akinjobi’s Quarters
Itun Akaasi - The descendants of Akaasi (Lagelu’s Nephew Quarters)
Ilaroo - The descendants of the Prince of Iseri. The first man that
built Iseri and settled was Ogunfunminire from Ile-Ife
Oke at Isale Atan - Communal Land or Town Forest
Occupation of the Second Ibadan (1821-1825)
Soon after the Owu established Owu Ogbere in Ibadan, another war broke out between the host and Olowu Akinjobi because on one of his raiding expeditions, he was alleged to have sacrificed his wife, NKAN-LOLA (name), the daughter of the Olubadan, to the goddess of Oba River. This led to another war which destroyed Owu-Ogbere (I.B. Akinyele, 1911)
This war dragged on until c.1825 when the allied forces of Ife, Ijebu, Oyo and friendly Egbas succeeded in defeating and destroying the new Owu settlement (Professor Toyin Falola in Ibadan: Foundation, Growth and Change, 1830-1960 (2012 page 2). The war was hardly concluded when the allied armies, encouraged partly by their success over this very powerful state and the lucrativeness of war, attacked the neighbouring Egba settlements. Of all towns attacked, only Ibadan (not Egba town) was not destroyed, but the inhabitants deserted it almost completely.
According to Rev. Samuel Johnson in “The History of the Yorubas (1921)” at page (224-225) – 1976 edition: of all the towns overrun the previous night such as Ojokodo, Iwohala, Ojoo, Ikerekuiwere, Ijaiye-maja etc. Ibadan alone they found not destroyed by fire, and so this marauding band hastily occupied it. The war-chiefs taking possession of any compound they chose, and their men with them and thus Ibadan was again re-peopled but not by the owners of the town, but by a composite band of marauders, consisting of Oyos, Ifes, Ijebus, and some friendly Egbas.
Maye Okunade, a bold and brave Ife Chieftain being their leader. Next to him was Labosinde, also an Ife, but through his mother, Oyo descent. At the head of Oyos was Oluyedun,Lakanle, Oluyole, bold and brave leader. Ibadan now became the headquarters of these allied army of Ifes, Oyos, Ijebus and friendly Egbas.
Ibadan then consisted of the central market and about half a mile of houses around. The town. (Johnson, 1921 pg. 244). The central market at Ibadan known as “Oja Iba” was so named after Oluyole when he became Ibasorun; formally it was Oja Labosinde who became the baba Isale of the early settlers (Johnson, 1921 page 307).
