17/07/2025
The Kiriji War (1877–1893): The Longest and Last Civil War in Yorubaland
The Kiriji War, also known as the Ekiti-Parapo War, was the longest and final in a series of internecine wars that ravaged Yorubaland in the 19th century. Fought between 1877 and 1893, the war lasted for 16 years and marked a turning point in Yoruba history.
At its core, it was a struggle between imperial dominance and regional autonomy. On one side stood Ibadan, the most powerful Yoruba city-state at the time, determined to maintain its control over the smaller kingdoms of the east. On the other side was the Ekiti-Parapo Confederacy, an alliance of the Ekiti, Ijesha, Igbomina, and Akoko peoples, determined to break free from Ibadan's political and military domination. Their military leader was Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesa, a legendary Ijesha warrior.
The name “Kiriji” is derived from the booming sound of cannons –kiri-ji, kiri-ji—brought into the conflict by the Ekiti-Parapo forces. These cannons were supplied through trade links with European merchants on the coast, marking a shift in indigenous warfare tactics.
Despite the advantage in firepower, the war ended in a stalemate. Neither side could claim outright victory, and both suffered significant losses. At the height of the conflict, it is estimated that each side mobilized tens of thousands of warriors. Some historians suggest that as many as 100,000 may have fought during peak phases, though accurate casualty figures remain unknown.
By the early 1890s, the devastation of prolonged warfare, famine, and instability compelled both sides to accept mediation. British colonial agents, who had been observing the war with growing interest, brokered peace. In September 1886, a preliminary peace treaty was signed in Imesi-Ile, and by 1893, British colonial administration had begun to solidify control over Yorubaland. The war’s exhaustion weakened all Yoruba polities and made resistance to British annexation increasingly difficult.
Although often referred to as a "civil war," the Kiriji War was more of a confederate resistance against centralized domination. Still, it concluded a 73-year cycle of internal conflicts in Yorubaland that began with the fall of the Oyo Empire around 1820.
What makes the Yoruba remarkable is that despite these intense rivalries and wars, they preserved a shared cultural identity that endures to this day. In modern Nigeria, the Yoruba remain one of the most culturally unified and historically conscious ethnic groups, a proof that even the deepest divisions can be reconciled with time, leadership, and common purpose.
What Exactly Led to the Kiriji War?
The Kiriji War was the climax of decades of political tensions and military conflicts in Yorubaland following the collapse of the Oyo Empire in the early 19th century. The disintegration of centralized authority created a vacuum, and several Yoruba city-states began to assert themselves as dominant regional powers.
The Rise of Ibadan
Ibadan emerged as a major military and political power in the aftermath of two successful battles: Ogun-Jalumi (1840) and the Battle of Ijaye (1860–1862).
Ogun-Jalumi
The Fulani had launched a systematic movement to spread Islam into the Oyo regions, marching south from Ilorin and destroying towns along the way. Ibadan and Ijaye were tasked with defending the southern frontier. Ibadan secured the eastern Osun districts, while Ijaye opposed the Fulani in the west of the Ogun River.
The Fulani militia, realizing they were encircled, began to retreat. Word of this reached Offa, where the bridge across the Otin River was destroyed, trapping the Fulani army. With nowhere to flee, they were driven into the river and drowned. The battle became known as Jalumi, meaning "to drown in the river."
In 1855, leaders from Ibadan, Ijaye, and other towns and the new capital Oyo Atiba convened to discuss Yoruba unity. It was agreed that Oyo, under the Alaafin, would retain political primacy, and all towns would pay tribute. However, tensions quickly grew. The Ijaye, Egba, and Ijebu were wary of Ibadan’s motives. Kurumi of Ijaye, a key general, distrusted Ibadan’s loyalty to the agreement.
Despite the accord, Ibadan continued to operate independently and imposed control through Ajele, a military agents stationed in towns to enforce Ibadan's rule.
Over time, the Ajele system became synonymous with oppression. The Ajeles often extorted, harassed, and abused local populations. A breaking point came when Prince Fabunmi’s wife was allegedly assaulted by an Ajele’s men. Fabunmi retaliated by killing them, an act that became symbolic of the widespread resentment against Ibadan’s dominance.
The Battle of Ijaye (1860–1862)
After Alaafin Atiba’s death in 1859, Ibadan supported the succession of Atiba’s son, hoping to maintain tribute payments. Kurumi opposed this, arguing it violated Oyo tradition. The Egba and Ijebu supported Kurumi’s stance. Seeing this as a threat, Ibadan moved to destroy Ijaye. The town was razed in 1862, its population scattered, and Ibadan’s supremacy further entrenched.
Formation of the Ekiti-Parapo Confederacy
Ibadan’s increasingly authoritarian policies prompted the eastern Yoruba states, Ekiti, Ijesha, Igbomina, Akoko, and others to form the Ekiti-Parapo Confederacy. Their goal was to end Ibadan’s control and dismantle the Ajele system.
Tensions exploded in 1877 when Ibadan refused to withdraw from Ekiti territories. Aare Latoosa, the powerful Ibadan general and Are-Ona-Kakanfo, reportedly dismissed the request, saying the Ekiti were their "wives, yams, palm oil, and slaves"— a statement that sparked the war in July 1877.
The Kiriji War Begins
The Ekiti-Parapo Confederacy launched its resistance in 1877. Initially led by Prince Fabunmi, command soon passed to the more experienced Ogedengbe of Ilesa. The eastern alliance made strategic use of the hills of Imesi-Ile, which gave them an edge in long-range warfare.
The confederates imported long-barrel flintlock cannons via trade routes through Benin. When fired from the hills, the echoing thunder of these weapons gave rise to the name Kiriji—an onomatopoeic reflection of their sound.
The Stalemate and Collapse of Ibadan's Power
Over time, Ibadan found itself encircled. Its enemies included the Egba, Ijebu, Ilorin, Dahomey, and even the Alaafin, who secretly supported the confederates due to his lingering bitterness over the destruction of Ijaye, his mother’s hometown.
Cut off from trade routes and supplies, Ibadan’s position weakened. Peace negotiations were attempted multiple times, but no party trusted Ibadan while Aare Latoosa remained alive. His death in 1885, reportedly by su***de, removed the final obstacle to truce.
In 1886, a peace treaty was signed at Imesi-Ile, ending the war officially. By 1893, British colonial rule had firmly taken root, marking the end of Yoruba independence and the beginning of a new chapter under imperial governance.
Here are some of the prominent warlords & military leaders who played key roles during the Kiriji War {1877–1893} on both sides:
Ekiti–Parapo {Eastern Yoruba Alliance} Warlords
These leaders fought for liberation from Ibadan domination:
👉 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗶 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗸𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗶
Sparked the war after killing an Ibadan Ajele {administrator} who assaulted his fiancée.
He was a founding leader of the Ekiti–Parapo alliance.
👉 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗴𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗯𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗮 {𝗜𝗷𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮}
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆.
Known for his bravery, strategy, & fearlessness in battle.
𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒊–𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔.
👉 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗻 𝗔𝗷𝗶𝗸𝗼𝗯𝗶 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗹𝗮 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗻
Played a vital role in mobilizing the northern front of the Eastern alliance.
👉 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗷𝘂 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗱𝗼-𝗘𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗶
Another strong commander from the Ekiti axis.
Helped maintain resistance in the central Ekiti region.
👉 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗱𝗼-𝗘𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗶
A respected chief who supplied resources and men to the war effort.
👉 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗴𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮-𝗢𝗱𝗼
Known for guerrilla tactics and defense of border villages.
Ibadan {Western Yoruba Power} Warlords
These leaders fought to maintain Ibadan’s control over the rest of Yorubaland:
👉 𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗢𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗮
Supreme military commander of Ibadan and the Yoruba army.
Powerful and controversial figure; his leadership defined Ibadan’s resistance.
Died in 1885, which was a turning point in the war.
👉 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗻 𝗢𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗮
Influential military chief from earlier Ibadan campaigns {before Kiriji}, whose legacy inspired Ibadan war tactics.
👉 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝘆𝗶 𝗢𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗻
A daring Ibadan general involved in earlier phases of the war.
Known for organizing strong defenses and counterattacks.
👉 𝗢𝗷𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗸𝗲
Allied with Ibadan due to Modakeke’s long-standing conflict with Ife and other eastern towns.
👉 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗲
A ruthless war captain under Latoosa, involved in enforcing control in conquered towns.
Other Influential Figures
𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿
British colonial officer who brokered the final peace agreement in 1893.
𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 {historian & brother of 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻}
