Akure–Benin War
The Akure–Benin War in 1818 was a conflict between the Benin Kingdom and the Akure Kingdom in what is now Nigeria. The origins of this conflict can be traced to the complex history of the region, with Akure being a place of ancient settlements, some dating back to the early Ife kingdom. The Akure Kingdom emerged when these communities were consolidated under the rule of Prince Omoremilekun, who descended from Oduduwa, a revered figure in Yoruba history. Historically, the relationship between Benin and Akure had been marked by peace and mutual respect due to shared cultural heritage and ancestry.
| Akure–Benin War | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the expansion of the Kingdom of Benin | |||||||||
Depiction of an Oba of Benin with Benin soldiers taken from Olfert Dapper's Description of Africa (1668) | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Benin Kingdom | Akure Kingdom | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Osemwende, Oba of Benin | Arakale, Deji of Akure | ||||||||
| Benin wanted to reclaim the land and make Akure pay tribute, but Akure resisted. | |||||||||
Location within Nigeria | |||||||||
However, this harmony was disrupted when Chief Osague, a Benin emissary, was killed by the Deji of Akure, Arakale. This incident, along with other conflicts and provocations, triggered the Benin invasion of Akure. The invasion involved military manoeuvres, with the Benin army led by Chief Erebo the Ezomo, General Ologbosere the Ologbosere, and the Imaran. They encountered resistance from the Akure army, led by the Deji himself. The Benin army strategically advanced through various routes, eventually capturing Akure after the destruction of the Deji's palace. This victory led to the establishment of Akure as a vassal state under Benin's control.
The consequences of the war were profound. For Akure, it marked a defeat, resulting in the loss of independence and submission to Benin's rule. The Deji of Akure had to pledge allegiance to the Oba of Benin, Osemwende, and pay tribute. In contrast, for Benin, the war demonstrated its power and expanded its territorial influence, with the Oba amassing greater wealth through tribute and plunder. The conflict had a lasting impact on the history and culture of both Akure and Benin, commemorated through various means, including oral traditions, festivals, monuments, and art.