This paper was delivered by me and few other guys on August 7, 2015. It spoke to the civil war that broke out among the Yoruba-speaking people in the late nineteenth century. The war, often referred to as Kiriji War, lasted for sixteen years, therefore making it the World's longest and fiercest civil war by any ethnic group. It also highlighted some lessons learnt from the war as well as how the memories of the war could be preserved.

1. Presented by:
Femi Ogundero
Omolara Ehimen
Damilola Araoye
Olawole Oladeji
August 7, 2015
Kiriji War: The World’s Longest Civil
War by any Ethnic Group
(1877-1893)

2. Introduction
The Kiriji War, an epic battle fought by the
Yoruba for 16 years, is believed to be the
world’s longest civil war by any ethnic group.
The war, according to historians, was the
fiercest tribal war among the Yoruba ethnic
group of Southwest Nigeria and the Kiriji War,
which ended almost 122 years ago led to the
signing of a Peace Treaty on September 23,
1886.

3. • Ibadan, a relatively new establishment that had the honour of filling the oversized
shoes of the former Oyo Empire as the protector of the Yoruba nation against external
attacks. But the military successes and wealth raked in by Ibadan in its military
expeditions soon posed serious challenges.
• Like all global super-powers, Ibadan was said to embark on an expansionist
programme that extended its reach to much of Yorubaland. It started appointing
District Officers known as ‘Ajeles’ to rule the conquered territories on its behalf.
• It did not take long for the ‘Ajeles’ to transform into despots. They became corrupt
and power-drunk, demanding ridiculous homage and exorbitant tributes.
• The Yoruba vassal states of Ijesha and Ekiti revolted and massacred the Ibadan-
appointed ‘Ajeles’.
• They formed a confederacy called Ekiti Parapo (Ekiti Brotherhood) and declared their
independence from Ibadan.
How the war started

4. How the war started…
• Ibadan knew the dire consequences of allowing such action to go unpunished as it
would encourage other conquered territories to declare independence.
• Ibadan wanted a centralized political system, with a central economy, a command
military structure, a central administration and a forcefully united Yoruba Nation,
while the other Yoruba subgroups wanted a decentralized structure, where all the
federating units would be autonomous and would be able to plan their political
future based on their own heritage.
• This led to the epic Yoruba war called the Kiriji War in 1877 when the Ibadan
police, navy, infantry and artillery soldiers, led by ‘General’ Obadoke Latoosa
invaded the entire commonwealth of Yoruba nation, pummeled the sacred
institutions, raided the markets and the deepest hinterlands and sought to
proclaim a forcefully united Yoruba nation.
• Kiriji war is the longest civil war by any ethnic group (1877 -1893).

5. The Major Actors and Causalities
• Ibadan was led by its commander-in-chief, Aare Obadoke Latosa, while the Ekiti
Parapo army was led by Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi.
• The Ibadan army pitched their camp at Igbajo while the Ekiti Parapo camped at
Imesi-Ile.
• Somewhere along the line, Saraibi Ogedengbe (famously known as Ogedengbe
Agbogungboro), the Balogun of Ijeshaland, became the General/Commander-in-
Chief of the Ekiti Parapo army, and the appointment greatly influenced the turn of
events, as Ogedengbe was a renowned military strategist.
• The war got its name (Kiriji) from the thunderous sound “kiriiiiiiiiji” of the cannon
guns which the Ekitiparapo purchased in large numbers. The cannon gave them an
advantage over the Ibadans.
• Ekiti Parapo enlisted several Yoruba tribes like Igbomina, Akoko, Egbe, Kabba and the
Oworro (a Yoruba sub-tribe in Lokoja, Kogi State).

6. The Major Actors and Causalities ...
• Lagos, Ijebu and Egba were said to have assisted Ekiti Parapo against Ibadan, seen by all, as a
common threat to the Yoruba commonwealth.
• Ilara Mokin in Ondo State was said to have been the headquarters of the Ekiti Parapo secret
service.
• Several Yoruba towns, such as Osogun and Ijaiye, were wiped out in the course of the war. Igbajo
barely escaped total destruction.
• Eventually, Ibadan found itself fighting on five fronts. First, in the South against the Egba who
confined their activities to raids and surprise attacks; secondly, against the Ijebu, in the same
south, who pitched a camp against them at Oru under Balogun Onafowokan; thirdly, the main
war at Kiriji in the East, where their forces fought a long battle against the Ekiti and Ijesa (Ekiti-
Parapo forces) under the command of Ogedengbe; fourthly, at Offa in the north, where they
faced the Ilorin Fulani who pitched their camp against the people of Offa (an ally of Ibadan); and
finally at Ile-Ife where the Ife people joined the alliance against them in 1882.
• However, in spite of Ibadan's disadvantages in the war, these five forces could not effect its
defeat. A state of stalemate was reached, from which only the intervention of an outside force
could redeem the whole Yoruba Nation.

7. Deadlock in Peace Dialogue…
• Attempts at mediation had started as early as 1879-80. All the traditional
rulers were involved, but neither was trusted by the other.
• The Colonial Government in Lagos was under instructions from London and
Accra to keep out of the conflict, even though the fighting was having serious
effects on the economic life of the colony.
• After 1885 the attitude of the administration started to change.
• Firstly, there was going to be a change in the political status of Lagos which
was later separated from the Gold Coast in 1886.
• Secondly, the scramble for Africa by the colonial powers was well under way
(Berlin Conference), and there were fears of French interference.
• Thirdly, some of the main protagonists of the war were themselves getting
tired of it.

8. • A ceasefire was arranged in 1886 through the efforts
of Samuel Johnson, the historian, and Bishop Charles
Phillips. The parties then signed a treaty in Lagos in the
presence of Governor Cornelius Alfred Moloney of
Lagos. This led to the independence of the Ekitiparapo
towns.
• Although the peace treaty was duly signed and sealed,
the war still continued until the Yoruba traditional
ceremony (ritual) of ending a war was held at the
appointed place on the battlefield.
The Treaty of Peace: Victory at last

9. The Treaty of Peace: Victory at last
The following is the text of the treaty :
Treaty of peace, friendship and commerce between the Alafin of Oyo, the Balogun, the Maye, the
Abese, the Agbaakin, the Otun Bale of Ibadan; the Owa of Ilesa, the Owore of Otun, the Ajero of Ijero,
the Olojudo of Ido, the Seriki of Ilesa, the Owoni of Ife, the Obalufe, the Obajiwo, the Obaloran, the
Ajaruwa, the Arode, the Arisanre, the Balogun of Ife; the Ogunsuwa of Modakeke, the Balogun and
Otun of Modakeke, the Awujale of Ijebu and the Balogun of Ijebu.
1. There shall be peace and friendship between the Kings, Bales, Baloguns and Chiefs, the signatories
to this Treaty and their peoples respectively and the Kings, Bales, Baloguns and Chiefs aforesaid hereby
engage for themselves and their peoples that they will cease from fighting and will remain within or
retire to their own territories as herein provided, and will in all things submit themselves to such
directions as may deem necessary or expedient to the Governor of Lagos for better and more
effectually securing the object of this Treaty.
2. The Kings, Chiefs and peoples comprising the Ekitiparapo alliance or confederation on the one hand,
and the Bale, Balogun, Chiefs and people of Ibadan on the other shall respectively retain their
independence.

10. The Treaty of Peace: Victory at last…
3. The Alaafin and Owa shall stand to each other in the relationship of the elder brother to the
younger as before when the Ekiti countries were independent.
4. The towns of Otan, Iresi, Ada, and Igbajo shall form part of the territories of Ibadan, and be
subject to the Bale, Balogun and Chiefs of Ibadan. Such of the inhabitants of the towns
aforesaid as desire to leave shall be permitted to do so at such time and in such manner as the
Governor, his envoy, or messenger shall direct after conference with the governments of the
parties principally concerned, and such people shall not be molested by the signatories their
peoples or allies.
5. In order to preserve peace the town of Modakeke shall be reconstructed on the land lying
between the Osun and the Oba rivers to the north of its present situation, and such of the
people of Modakeke as desire to live under the rule of the Bale and Balogun of Ibadan shall
withdraw from the present town to the land mentioned, at such times and in such manner as
the Governor his envoy or messenger shall direct after conference with the governments of the
parties principally concerned, and such of the people as desire to live with the Ifes shall be
permitted to do so but shall not remain in the present town of Modakeke, which shall remain
the territory and under the rule of the king and chiefs of Ife, who may deal with the same as
they may think expedient.

11. The Treaty of Peace: Victory at last…
6. Except as herein provided the boundaries of the territories of the respective parties and
signatories shall remain as at present and shall not be interfered with.
7. The Kiriji camp shall be broken up and the contending parties agree quietly and peaceably
and without any demonstration to withdraw their armies and their peoples at such time or
times in such manner, and by such routes as shall be directed by the Governor, his envoy or
messenger after conference with the governments of the parties principally concerned.
8. The signatories engage themselves at or immediately after the signature of this treaty or at
such times as may be directed by the Governor, his envoy or messenger after conference with
the parties principally concerned, to withdraw their peoples and warriors and allies employed
or associated with the contending peoples or armies at Modakeke, Isoya, or elsewhere, and
wherever such allies or people or warriors may be employed in war, or likely to foster or
promote war, and further when their peoples, warriors, and allies have been withdrawn, and
the camp of Kiriji broken up and dispersed to do their utmost by peaceful and friendly means
to bring about peace.
9. The signatories bind themselves to endeavour in every legitimate way to promote trade and
commerce, and to abstain from dissension and acts likely to promote strife.

12. The Treaty of Peace: Victory at last…
10. The signatories agree if any cause of strife or dissension should still exist after the ratification and
carrying out of these conditions which is not dealt with herein, to refer such cause or matter
unreservedly to the arbitration of the Governor of the Lagos Colony and peaceably and without
resorting to strife or provocation to await his determination thereof and abide by it, testifying their
gratitude to Her Majesty's Government for efforts already made and undertaken in their interest and
their sincerity and earnestness in the cause of general peace and goodwill.
11. The armistice now existing between the hostile forces in the camps of Kiriji and Isoya shall be
promoted, and the signatories bind themselves to cease from all warlike operations or acts of
provocation, and to do their utmost to promote friendly relations until the Governor, his envoy or
messenger shall be able to, and shall communicate with the signatories hereto.
12. As a guarantee of good faith, and for the further and better securing the objects of this treaty
and the faithful and strict observance of the terms and conditions thereof, the signatories agree to
place in the hands of the Governor his envoy or messenger as and when he may determine, such of
their leading chiefs as he may require as hostages, who will continue and remain with him on the
battlefield of Kiriji, whilst the armies and peoples of the respective signatories are dispersing
therefrom, and for and during such time or period as the circumstances or necessities of the case
may require, or to give such other or further guarantees as may seem just or expedient to the
Governor, his envoy or messenger.

13. The Treaty of Peace: An Addendum
• The first treaty was duly signed by the
representatives of all the warring parties in June
1886.
• In order to make the treaty more beneficial, the
leaders of all the tribes in Yorubaland decided to
sign another treaty that would promote and
encourage bilateral trade between the Ibadans
and the Ekitiparapos. This was signed on
September 23, 1886.

14. Ratification of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce between the
Ibadans and Ekitiparapos
We, the undersigned signatories, and duly authorized representatives of signatories
of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce signed in the months of June and
July in the current year, by the Alaafin of Oyo, the Balogun, the Abese, the Maye, the
Agbaakin, and the Otun Bale of Ibadan, the Owa of Ilesa, the 0wore of Otun, the
Ajero of Ijero, the Olojudo of Ido, the Seriki of Ijesa, the Owoni, the Balogun, the
Obalufe, the Obaloran, the Obajio, the Ajaruwa, the Arode, and the Orisanire of Ife,
the Ogunsua, the Balogun, and the Otun of Modakeke, and the Awujale and Balogun
of Ijebu, and having for its object the termination of the war between the Ibadans
and their allies, on the one hand, and the Ekitiparapo confederacy on the other hand,
hereby ratify and confirm the said treaty, and all and singular the conditions and
stipulations thereof, and do further agree to, and approve of the following provisions,
for the more perfect fulfilment of the same, made after conference with the
governments of the parties principally concerned or their representatives by the
Special Commissioners appointed by the Governor of Lagos as representing Her Most
Gracious Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland to carry the said treaty into
effect.

15. The Treaty of Peace: An Addendum
1. Peace between the signatories of the treaty and their peoples shall be proclaimed by the
Commissioners immediately after the signing hereof.
2. Immediately after the proclamation of peace the breaking up of the camps at Kiriji and Oke
Mesi respectively shall begin, and upon the signal being given by gunfire in the Commissioners'
camp the Ibadans encamped in the Kiriji camp and the Ekitiparapos encamped in the Oke
Mesin camp shall simultaneously begin quietly and peacefully and without any demonstration
to withdraw from their said respective camps.
3. The Ibadans encamped in the Kiriji camp shall return to their homes by way of Ikirun,
Osogbo, Ede, and Iwo, and by Ikirun, Ilobu, Ejigbo, and Oyo, and the Ekitiparapos encamped in
the Oke Mesin camp shall return to their homes by way of Mesi Ipole, and Mesi Igbo Odo, and
Esa Oke.
4. The evacuation of the said Kiriji and Oke Mesin camps shall be completed by noon on
Tuesday next the 28th September 1886. when a signal gun shall be fired in the Commissioners'
camp after which, without further warning, the said Kiriji and Oke Mesin camps shall be
destroyed by fire, at such time and in such manner as the Commissioners shall
deem expedient.

16. The Treaty of Peace: An Addendum
5. The camps at Modakeke, Isoya, and' elsewhere shall be broken up on such day, and in such
manner as the Commissioners after their arrival at the quarters prepared for them by the
Modakekes and the Ifes, on their battlefield shall determine, and thereupon the Ifes shall be re-
instated in their town of He Ife, and the Modakekes shall forthwith withdraw provisionally to the
towns of Ipetumodu, Moro and Edun abon to the land between the Osun and Oba rivers, and north
of the present town of Modakeke, before the end of the month of March in the year 1888, and for
their faithful compliance with the provisions of this article the authorities of Ibadan undertake to be
responsible.
6. During the time that the Modakekes shall inhabit the said towns of Ipetumodu, Moro, and Edun
abon, they shall be at liberty to cultivate and carry away the produce of their present farm of
Modakeke, without. molestation from the Ifes. They on their part shall not in any way molest the
Ifes.
7. Such of the Modakekes as shall desire to live with the Ifes shall give notice of such desire to the
Commissioners of the said camps at Modakeke, Isoya, and elsewhere, and any Modakeke who shall
not have given such notice shall be conclusively deemed to have elected not to live with the Ifes.

17. The Treaty of Peace: An Addendum
8. Those of the inhabitants of the towns of Otan, Iresi, Ada, and Igbajo, who shall desire
to remove from those towns, shall be permitted to do so with all their movable property
and without molestation at any time before the end of the month of January 1887.
Any inhabitant of any of the said towns who shall not have left such towns before the
expiration of the said term shall be conclusively deemed to have elected to become a
subject of the authorities of Ibadan.
9. The hostages given to the Commissioners by way of security for the due observance of
the article of the said treaty relating to the breaking up of the Kiriji and Oke Mesi camps
shall remain with the Commissioners so long as the Commissioners shall deem expedient.
This new pact was duly signed and sealed by them on September 23, 1886

18. Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Commerce
between the Egbas, the Ibadans and the Ijebus.
Whereas the relations of the Egbas, the Ibadans, and the Ijebus have in the past been frequently
disturbed by misunderstandings which have only too often resulted in raids upon one another's
territory and other hostile acts.
And whereas the said people are desirous of living for the future in peace and amity with each
other.
Now therefore we, the undersigned authorities of the said peoples, having power to bind our
respective peoples solemnly and sincerely promise each other and declare as follows :
1. The Egbas, the Ibadans, and the Ijebus (hereinafter called the signatories) shall henceforth
wholly desist from making raids each upon the territory of either of the others.
2. The signatories will respectively within three months from these presents coming into force
restore to each other or make compensation for or in respect of all captives whom they may
respectively have made during any such raid as aforesaid, within the two years immediately
preceding the first day of January, 1890.
3. There shall henceforth be peace, friendship and commerce between the signatories.

19. The Treaty of Peace: An Addendum
4. The signatories shall henceforth keep open their roads each to and for the benefit of the others.
5. In particular the Egbas shall keep open so far as in them lies the road from Abeokuta to Iseyin by
way of Eruwa, and the Ibadans and the Ijebus shall so far as in them respectively keep open the road
from Ibadan to Ikorodu by way of Ipara and Sagamu, and the road from Ibadan to Ita Ike by way of
Oru and Ijebu Ode.
6. The last preceding article hereof shall in no way be construed as limiting the provisions of the
fourth article hereof.
7. The Egbas and the Ibadans will forthwith open the direct road between Abeokuta and Ibadan
which was closed in the year 1877.
8. The signatories will henceforth only levy and allow to be levied reasonable duties and tolls upon
goods imported into or conveyed through their respective territories and will in no case levy or allow
to be levied upon any such goods any duties and tolls amounting in the aggregate to more than
double the duties and tolls to which similar goods shall be for the time being liable in the territory of
either of the others of the signatories or to more than one-tenth of the value of the goods so
imported or conveyed, provided that none of the signatories shall be bound to their tariffs of duties
and tolls more than once in every year.

20. The Treaty of Peace: An Addendum
9. These presents shall come into force when executed by the Ijebus.
I0. In case any question shall arise upon the construction of any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise in relation hereto, or in connection herewith, such question may be referred
by any of the signatories to the arbitrament of the Governor for the time being of Her
Britannic Majesty's Colony of Lagos whose decision thereon shall be binding and
conclusive upon all the signatories.

21. Lessons learnt from the war
• It was a war of unification, which ended all manners of war and semblance of war in
Yoruba Nations.
• Although, the war finally came to an end, but the primary aim of the War, which was
to put an end to the Ibadan Feudal Lordship was achieved.
• The war restore the dignity of all the tribes in Yoruba Nation irrespective of their sizes.
• No Yoruba tribal group is superior to the rest.
• There is a need to co-exist in peace and put the past behind us.
• We must work together to build our Nation (Yorubaland).
• Agba’jo owo lafi n’soya, ajeje owo kan ko gbe’ru d’ori

22. Recommendations
• September 23 should be declared a Peace Accord Day in the Region. if the
Americans still celebrate the American Civil War of 1861 to 1865, then
Kiriji War, the longest civil war by any ethnic group deserves no less.
• The Treaty of Peace should be adopted as the signpost for conflict
resolution in Yorubaland.
• The treaty of Peace should be designated as our own ‘Universal
Declaration of Human Rights’.
• The heroes of the war should be celebrated as symbols of Yoruba Unity.
• There should be a yearly seminar on Kiriji War.
• There should be an epic movie to re-live the happenings during the period