28/09/2026
LATOOSA, OGEDENGBE 'RESSURECT' AT KIRIJI PEACE TREATY ANNIVERSARY
By Prince Jubril Arowolo-Are
Imesi-Ile, Osun State —
The hills of Imesi-Ile stood still, but history spoke loudly as we walked the sacred grounds where Yoruba warlords once camped, fought, and made peace.
From far and near came the descendants of ancient Yoruba warlords who engaged themselves in the longest civil war over 156 years ago. The Ekiti-Parapo or Kiriji War lasted 16 years before the peaceful settlement was achieved by the Europeans in 1886.
Since then, it has been a yearly event but this one was a milestone and Kiriji Heritage Conservation Group made sure the celebration was grand. Prominent families like Aare Latoosa's, Ogedengbe's, Fabunmi's and Ibadan Warlords'and others were in attendance.
As such, our delegation was graciously received by the host community and His Royal Highness, *Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi, the Owa Ooye of Imesi-Ile*, in his palace.
The highly cerebral monarch, a custodian of Kiriji history, welcomed us warmly and gave a moving account of how his small but strategic town became the epicentre of the 16-year Yoruba civil war.
"Imesi-Ile is not just a town, it is a museum of Yoruba unity. This is where enmity ended and peace began, he concluded.
Other Chiefs in the Palace were Obanla of Imesi-Ile, High Chief Olatunde Aluko, Chief Oguntoye and members of Imesi-Ile Progressive Association led by Bar. Samuel Agbeluyi, Ralph Elebute alongside Kiriji Heritage Conservation Group under the leadership of Dr Florence Adeoye.
The group had earlier held a commemorative lecture inside the University of Ibadan Conference Centre themed: Fortified By Grace From War to Unity delivered by Prof Isaac Olawale Albert and graced by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HIM Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and other prominent Obas in Yoruba land.
From the palace, we were led on a historic tour to
1. IBUDO LATOOSA -
Our first stop was Ibudo Latoosa, the war camp of the Ibadan supreme commander, Aare Momodu Obadoke Latoosa, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. Located on a high ridge overlooking the valleys, the camp still shows traces of its military ingenuity.
We were shown the spot where Latoosa's tent stood, his lookout point, and the defensive trenches dug by Ibadan warriors. Standing there, one could imagine the might of Ibadan's army — thousands strong, with war boys, horses, and Dane guns — that held the Confederates at bay for years. A giant Iroko tree has sprouted out of the spot where Latoosa breathed his last. The tree was planted by Ogedengbe, leader of the Ekiti Parapo opponents and Balogun Osungbekun who assumed the complete leadership of Ibadan forces after the demise of Aare Latoosa. Our guide further said Ogedengbe had to nurture the small tree for five years before relocating.
2. OGEDENGBE CAMP - THE HEART OF THE CONFEDERACY
A few kilometers away, deep in the forest, lies the camp of the Confederacy's most brilliant tactician, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesa. Unlike Latoosa's imposing hilltop camp, Ogedengbe's was tactical, hidden, and surrounded by thick cover.
This was the war headquarters of the Ekiti-Parapo. It was from here that Ogedengbe, Fabunmi of Okemesi, Prince Adeyale of Ijesa and other allied generals planned their strategies. The remains of the war fence (Odi Ogun), grinding stones used by wives of warriors, and hearths where food was cooked for the army are still visible. The Ogun shrine by the left side of the stair and at the peak of it all is Ogedengbe stone cast chair at the hill top of 232 lifter steps.
The atmosphere was solemn, serene and imposing.
3. FEJEBOJU RIVER - THE RIVER THAT SWALLOWED GUNS
The most spiritual part of our visit was to River Fejeboju, the legendary river that gave the war its name "Kiriji" - from the thunderous sound "Kiri-ji" made by cannons echoing through the hills.
The cannons were said to have been provided by then Lagos based Labinjo.
According to history, both armies agreed not to fight on market days so women could go to the river. Fejeboju was the neutral meeting point. It was also here that several Dane guns were said to have mysteriously sunk, and warriors washed off war charms to embrace peace. We fetched water from the river — still crystal clear and ice-cold after over a century.
4. DISPLAY OF EKITI-PARAPO WARLORDS' ARTEFACTS
The climax of the visit was the exclusive exhibition of authentic war artefacts preserved by the Imesi-Ile community.
We saw:
- The rusted Dane guns and swords used at Kiriji
- War chains, amulets and bulletproof vests (Aso Ogun)
- Brass war drums and battle trumpets
- Ogedengbe's battle axe
- The original copy of the 1886 Peace Treaty document kept in a bottle and buried about 12 metres underground by Bowers Tower then European Interior Commissioner at the Treaty site.
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- Ekiti Parapo war masquerades, Òyíìrí; a one handed masquerade, Alágbo-òfé masquerade,
- Lágbooókán masquerade and Gbàdolégun masquerade
Each artefact had a story. Each story had blood, courage, loyalty and brotherhood.
As we left Imesi-Ile at sunset, the message was clear. The children of Latoosa and the children of Ogedengbe, Fabunmi, and others are now one. The war that divided Yorubaland for 16 years has become the very foundation of its unity.
The Kiriji War is over. Long live Kiriji Peace.
On the delegation of Aare Latoosa Family were Mogaji Rilwan Adewale Aare, Alhaji Muftau Are, Baálè Fatai Bolaji Are (Onireke), Baálè Kabiru Ajibola Are (Bodija), Elders Majeed Akinola Are, Isiaka Amodu Are, Mukaila Are, Tirimisiyu Gbolagade Arowolo Are and Are Hammed among others.
From Ogedengbe family were Arole Olutayo Ogedengbe and Chief Mrs Toyin Ogedengbe while members of Ibadan Warriors Association were led by Chief Kamor Osungbekun, Mogaji Moyeloye and Mogaji Moshood Akere.
