OYEKAN A.D 1885-1900

1. After the death of king Dosunumu, his son Oyekan succeeded his throne, March 1885. He received the support of the British Government as his late father, no war or trouble of any kind was witnessed during his reign. The quarrel that had existed when his late father was alive was still reigning but not in a severe manner on account of the British influence.

The return of Chief Apena.

2. Seven months after Oyekan’s ascension, chief Apena and his followers who had been deported to the Gold Coast, returned to Lagos on the 24th of September 1885. On their arrival a crowd of people went to meet them at the Marina in merry and jubilant attire, singing songs as they processed through the streets. The people thought that it was necessary for men to go front to the king’s palace before their own home. But none experienced this among the crowd. Such a course was unnecessary and that every one must go to the house for fear of the king’s men who had got ready to fight them if they attempted to enter the palace, and the doors of the palace were locked except the big gate where Asi the mother of Ajose the then Erelu took her seat in order to prevent their entrance. When the people reached Enu-Owa so many spectators were going towards the palace but some aged persons turned them back and every one went his way.

3. After the return of Apena Ajase to Lagos the king’s party and the Apena’s began to sing “kerikeri songs” in abusive tongs to one another, Damole was the leader of Apena’s party, and Bisi the king’s. as the songs were frequently sung, which made the matter worst than ever, and in order to avoid a civil war in the town, His Excellency Governor Barrow forbade the beating of the Kerikeri drum and songs.

Meeting of the Interior kings in Lagos

4. A year and half of this reign witnessed the meeting of small kings and chiefs, and had also the envoys and messengers from the interior great kings, who came to sign a treaty of peace with Governor Moloney in order that there might be peace between the interior kings and chiefs, and for the purpose of bringing to an end the war that had existed between the Ibadans and Ilorins. These kings and envoys affixed their signs and scales to the Treaty on the 4th day of January, 1886.

5. In the second year of his reign, there was a regular down-pour of rain from the month May to June of 1887, the rain fell day and night beyond measure so that the town was filled with ponds and lakes, so such so that the people thought the town would be inundated. The king had the bell rung round the town saying that the elders wished to propitiate the gods and therefore, every house-holder should contribute 200 cowries and bring them to the king’s Wharf. After this, a letter was addressed to the Imam for frequent prayers. the fetish worshipers) babalowo) offered their sacrifice AT Tinubu Square. Agbaoni was the leader, and he conducted the work of propitiation. Few days after, God removed the fear and danger, the waters were abated and rain ceased.

Queen’s Jubilee

6. 21st of June 1887, witnessed the celebration of great event which will ever be remember in Lagos, this was the late Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, on that day the whole town was filled with rejoicing, and both young and old participated in the festivities with the Greatest honor, pomp, and to the satisfaction of the British Government.

Cause of Ijebu war.

7. In the year 1892, the Ijebus broke the Treaty they made with the Lagos Government. They closed the roads through their country to the interior, they also assumed a warlike attitude when they denied a pass to Major Stanley to Ijebu from Itokin, and threatened to kill him should he venture to proceed, and also the Right Rev. Bishop Tugwell was treated in like manner.

The Lagos deputation to Ijebu Ode

8. When Governor Carter determined to declare war against them, the king and chiefs, and elders of Lagos were moved with pity, the king then sent some of his chiefs with the Ogboni staff, and the Sierra Leone emigrants to the king Awujle to entrust him to comply with the wishes of the Governor by opening the roads and thereby avoid bloodshed.

The Ijebus reply

9. The following were envoys from Lagos, - chief Okoya, and Prince Adewuyiwa Harsrtup. When the messages were delivered to the Ijebus, they refused to take the advice of the king of Lagos, and gave the following reply.
i. That they had never entered into a treaty of relationship with the Lagos Government.
ii. They also affirmed that they had never deputed Mr. Otonba Payne, and Mr. Jacob Williams to act in their behalf in sighing a Treaty or “Spitting Kola Nuts”.
iii. They repudiated the charge that they turned Major Stanley and the Right Rev. Bishop Tugwell back when the former was sent on a Mission to them by the Lagos Government.
iv. They asked that the term of thirty days be allowed them to come to a decision in the matter.

Notwithstanding the unwillingness of the Ijebus to head the advice, the elders held an interview with His Excellency Governor Carter and implored him not to wage war against the Ijebus, but the Governor replied that there was no alternative that the plan of waging war had been determined, preparations already made, and must be finally carried out.

Starting of the Expedition

10. Therefore, on Thursday the 12th of May, His Excellency Governor G.T Carter sent an expedition of the following order or troops under the command of colonial F.G. Scott, to the Ijebus. The West Indian troops under Major Maddon, the

Yemoji river war

11. On the 19th of May, the troops left Mojoda at 5 o’clock in the morning. After stopping to see that everything was in order, they crossed a river at 7 o’clock am and met a small detached of the Ijebus that proceeded their main force, here some fighting took place, but the Ijebus retreated to join their force behind. This force stood behind the Yemoji River, where there was a dense forest, and the road which led to was rugged and slippery with bush on the right and left. About 700 were hidden round the place and these reportedly fired on the troops as they advanced in the hollow and rugged path. When them firing became severe the troops could with difficulty move forward along the path, and the situation was negraviated by the men who were wounded and killed, and who fell on the road as they advanced. They were in this dangerous position for half an hour, and receive continues voile from the Ijebus, who plainly saw them as they proceeded on the road.
12. When they came out of the hollow path, and reached an open field near the Yomoji River, the troops instantly stretched to the right and left, Captain Balley commanding the right column, and central Gordon and power commanded the left column, Captain Owen commanded the central column. On troops marched in this way till the bank of the river was reached, at this point the Ijebus fired sharp vollies, and as a result of this firing the troops could not cross the river until the artillery cannon were arranged and fired, when caused a considerable havoc among them, under the protection of the cannon the troops crossed the river which was waist deep and reached the other side. The Ijebus repeatedly fired for about an hour and half and afterwards they retreated.

13. The engagement was so severe that Colonial Scott jumped into the river amidst the vollices and the water reached his waist as e gave command to the troops, Captain Owen received shots in tow places in the river.

14. When the troops reached the other side of the river, the Ijebus found it very hard to stand before them, and the artillery guard under the Command of Captains Laurie, Mr. F.C Creeen, and Akere scattered them they made another attempt to rush against the troops, but they were instantly driven back by the three columns behind water the command of Captains Herbert G.B Harddon-Smith and Campbell, notwithstanding the dangerous and rugged position of the road, the Ijebus were soon disappeared by the troops and put to fight, and did not attempt to free the troops and more.

15. Praise was due to the Ijebus for the unexpected bravery they displayed, they maintained their position for two hours without moving. The troops proceeded for about two miles and halted to arrange things.

16. The honor of the day was due to the courage of the West Indian troops, and to their gallant Commander Captain Maddon, for when the engagement became severe and the Ijebus fired sharply, the Hausa force lingered to rush into the river, the West Indian troops were commanded to rush in and the Hausa troops followed, and they crossed the river.

17. Dr. W.H Henderson was also worthy of praise. He was commanded to advice forward to attend the wounded. He performed his duty with great courage under the sharp shots of the Ijebus who fired to such as extent that many shots penetrated through his helmet. His assistant Dr. Croft was under the same danger near him performing the same duty.

18. When the review of troops was held it was found that the causalities were three men killed, one Hausa soldier, a native of Ibadan, and one laborer, three Captains received slight wounds, Captain E.R Owen, Captain Hardinge, and Captain Laurel. Among the West Indian troops two men received slight and dangerous wounds, one native officer from Gold Coast, and thirteen of the Hausa soldiers, six natives from Ibadan, and three laborers. The Ijebus sustained a very great loss in this attack many corpses were seen here and there in the bush.

19. After short halt, the troops reached Magbon at 11 o’clock am an inspecting the town it was found that the Ijebus had camped there for some days, they built a long camp which was about two miles in length, with this was concluded that the concentrated and force of Ijebus was about 10,000 brave men. Here two flags tied on places of plank fixed on the two poles, one on the right and the other on the left were flying in the air. When this news was brought to the knowledge of the General of the troops (colonel Scott) he commanded two Captains Gordon and Laymere, and Mr. F.C Creen to go and watch only the flags were found, and nobody else, they gave a loud cry, in order to call attention of any one that might be hidden in the bush, but no answer was received, the troops encamped at Ligbosi.

20. The troops left Ligbosi on the 20th of May at about 5:30 am for Ijebu Ode. After the troops had marched for about two miles wounded man was found in the bush left by his party day before. High tight brave were completely shattered and he was taken by the ambulance corps. As they proceeded, six Ijebus were copied with white flags in their hands and when brought before the commander-chief of the army, they were found to be envoys from king Awujale, they delivered the following message to Colonel Scott: - “We are sent by King to thank you cordially for assistance you have rendered him during his reign. The king had told his people, and endeavored to keep the treaty signed by him the Lagos Government, but they were obstinate and refusal to abide with it, the king cannot enforce them to keep his command. And now they had tried the European power, and known it, and learn to obey him. The king entrance you to stop the fighting

21. Then the Colonel ordered four of the king’s messengers to march the army on, and dispatched two of them back with message to king Awujale in the following terms: - you must inform king Awujale that I am coming to Ijebu Ode, and if no shot in fired on me, I shall not fight, but if there should be a single shot fired on my force all town on my way shall be burnt down, and Ijebu Ode shall be destroyed.

22. The king answered, I do not know they had gone to- they had been dispersed and scattered, they had all fled, every one go his own way, though, I shall not allow any of them to come to town. The colonel said, all the roads from north to south shall be supplying me and my force with provisions. The king said, I had agreed before this. The colonel asked where are the ammunitions of your people. The king answered, - I cannot tell, because I do not know where they were. The Colonel then commanded that the ammunitions should be brought to him, after that the force pitched their tents near king Awujale’s palace; Colonel Scott encamped in the front of the palace.

23. The remaining Ijebu in the town feared exceedingly, because they took away their property as they deserted the town, leaving their king alone with other five chiefs, on whom a sentinel was appointed to guard in order to prevent their escape.

24. The Colonel ordered the king to call his subjects back to the town, and told him that failure to carry out the order shall be considered a sufficient proof of their hostility against the force. In the evening Colonel Scott and the native for the bravery and perseverance displayed which enabled them to conquer the enemy whose number greatly exceeded their own men and to reach the destination on account of which they left their home.

25. On the 21st of May, the town was surveyed by the commanders of the army, and the cannon and ammunition were placed in proper places in order to protect the army against the enemy. The camps were put in proper order, strengthened to prevent any possible attack and kept in a very clean and sanitary condition.
26. On the 22nd of May the Ijebus began to return to the town, the changes and the new order of things seemed to agree with them. The Ijebu came to sell foodstuff such as corn and other things, to the force. Colonel Scott told the king that he proposed to send a detachment to the town or Oru next day, the king, on hearing the news, instantly dispatched his messengers to the people of Oru, and warned them not to withstand or show any sign of defiance the troops, and above all that they must sell foodstuffs to them.

27. Six men among the force were flogged before the whole army for plundering one Hausa soldiers, and five carriers.

28. A slave came to town, and asked for the Colonel’s protection, he was hungry and headed over to the Hausa soldiers who were his country men. He reported that the principal force of the Ijebus had retreats to a village called Musin on the East, and that they were powerless.

29. Since the entry of the troops at Ijebu Ode British flag was flying in the air at Awujale’s square, where it was fixed on arrival, Captain Hadden-Smith who was provisionally appointed as officer of the town sent guards to watch any one who might, he declared should be brought to him. It was observed that the Ibadan were not in favor of the instructions against plundering, but they were made to understood that violence of the instruction might be attended with great risk on their part

30. On the 23rd of May, it was reported that during the night the people of Epe on their armours embarked in canoe for the town of Ejirin, and waged war against that town and set fire to it. The Ejirin men succeeded in capturing three of the men, and sent them to captives to

31. At 6 o’clock am a detached force under the command of Captain Owen was dispatched to Oru town. At about 20 minutes to 6 o’clock am, it reached a village called Igbeni, but the Ijebus showed no sign of fighting. The force reached Oru at 11 o’clock am and met with the same columns on the parts of inhabitants, notwithstanding there were many people in the town. Immediately on arrival the captains summoned the chiefs and elders and told them the British force had occupied Ijebu-Ode and that the Government had determined to secure perfect peace and freedom in the intercourse between the interior people and the Ijebu, and that on this account the British Government had occupied Ijebu Ode, and for the same reason the force and his Captains were sent to their town in order to explain the circumstances and also to demolish the gate way of their town.

32. The chiefs replied that they were ready to follow anything the British Government would tell them, but that they had no particular gate way to their town. It reported that there was a gate in the neighborhood not far away called Aha; some selected soldiers were designated to the place by the chiefs of the staff to break it down. The chiefs of the staff commanded the chief to bring foodstuffs for their force and so save them from pillaging for the satisfaction of their hunger, shortly after, the people brought some yams and domestic animals, and were paid five slaves escaped with the force, three men and two women.

33. The column left Oru at 7 am and whilst crossing the bridge over the stream at foot at the hill, one of the tree trunks gave way and Mr. H. Plunge fell into the stream and sustained some slight injuries, arrived at Igbene at 3:30 am, where the troops halted for a quarter of an hour and proceeding, arrived at Ijebu-Ode at 10:5 am. Messengers dispatched to Epe returned and reported that the Ijebu were rehabitating their town and villages destroyed on that route. They were said to have been fully impressed with the power of the English Government and were anxious to complete and be on friendly terms with it. They manifested no hostility whatever to the messengers, but were very kind and entertained them.

34. On the 25th of May, a detachment of Hausas with artillery guard under the command of Captain J.R.P Gordon accompanied by an ambulance corpse under Dr. Henderson, and 60 laborers departed from Ito-kin at 6 o’clock am to escort His Excellency Governor Carter to Ijebu-Ode. At 7 o’clock a Royal Salute in honor of Her Majesty a birthday was fired by the troops in the square in front of the king’s palace. The whole force paraded, and were formed into a three quarter square, the king’s palace filling the fourth, the artillery being placed on the right and left flakes of the troops. The staff took up position in the centre of the square headed by Colonel Scott, and at 7 o’clock the Colonel gave the word of command and the whole body presented same, which was followed by ringing cheers Her Majesty the Queen. The carriers numbering over 500 men stood on the outside on the south of the square, and the scene was a very impressive one, and greatly fascinated the king and chiefs who were in the verandah of the palace. The Ijebus appear to be more reconciled to the new condition of things.

35. On the 27th of May, His Excellency the Governor had an interview with the king at 8 o’clock am in which the destiny of Ijebu-Ode was practically settled. The king admitted that he had full knowledge of all communications prior to and in respect of the treaty; he also admitted that humans sacrifices had been offered, but limited the number of victim to six, examination however proved that the number was greater. At this interview the representatives of Lagos deputation were whom the intended to land the Government astray. Captain with force of Hausa’s had been placed in charge of the Ijebu country, in which the king’s status depends entirely on his own behaviors.

36. At this interview there were present besides the Governor, Honorable O. Stallard, Queen’s Advocate, Colonel F.C Scott C.B Commander of the Expeditionary force, Captain F.R Owen, chief of the staff, Captain J.R.F Gordon, Intelligence Officer, Mr. A.L Hethersett Interpreter, and the Special Correspondent of the “Weekly Record”, the Awujale, chiefs and Attendants. His Excellency the Governor addressing the Awujale said; - “I am sorry to meet you under the present distressing circumstances but you will admit that the fruit is not mine. I shall be glad to hear any explanation you have to make for though your position is unfortunate the responsibility falls on you.

37. The Awujale: - “I thank you for what you said. All that had happened comes from God. I was here in Ijebu when the king ran away to Epe, and I was then elected king, I refused but Balogun and people begged me to accept the honor, which I did, they were glad and I thought I was loved, and I placed confidence in the people but latterly the chiefs and young men were opposed to e, particularly the sons of the late king. Things were on until Governor Carter arrived in Ijebu, when it was said by the people that I had sold the country to the British Government. On your arrival, the Lagos Government wanted free roads, but the whole people were opposed to it. I no power, Mr. Payne and others were sent to warn us against any to open the roads, and of the coming of the expedition. Everything is now in your hands and I will only ask you to point out what will be best for me to do.

38. The Governor: - “you sent a deputation to Lagos to do a Captain thing and after it was done, you repudiated it, and I should like to hear what you have to say about it, you must admit that every forbearance was to you and your people. I fully explained everything that the Government required of you, and I also gave you the option of sending a deputation to Lagos or of coming to Ijebu myself, and you preferred sending a deputation to Lagos. I not only deputed Captain Hadeen-Smit to bring a letter and see that its contents were rightly explained to you, but sent another further explanation so that there might be no mistake”.

Awujale: - “Your messages and letters were fully explained to us”

The Governor: - “Was everything explained to you”

Awujale: - “Everything”

39. The Governor: - “After which you sent deputation down and I took it that they represented the Ijebu nation and negotiated with them accordingly. They distinctly stated that they represented the whole Ijebu nation, and I told them plainly and clearly what the Government wanted and what it was necessary to do, and that if your people were not prepared to fall in with the wishes of the Government, they must beat the consequences. As the deputation professed not to understood “back” two well known natives of Lagos signed the treaty for the deputation after the customary oath had been taken on kola nuts and after which I was assured was the most binding form of promise aside and spoke Ijebu could make. I afterwards took the deputation aside and spoke to them in a friendly manner warning them that serious trouble would arise if the Treaty were broken”.
Awujale: - ‘They told me everything”

40. The Governor: - “And as a special favour I gave them my own yacht to convoy them home.

Awujale: - “They told me all”

The Governor: - “imagine my surprise when a forthright afterwards you repudiated the whole thing”

41. Awujale: - “The people met at the Ogbonis and selected the deputation to go to Lagos and sent to inform me of it. The deputation returned and delivered its message to the Ogbonies, Owu Agunrin did no bring back message to me till after a lapse of three days. The people sent back from Ogboni meeting and said that they would not accept the Treaty sent from Lagos asking them to accept it. Some missionaries passed, I gave them sheep and sent them on. Then the Yoruba came from Ibadan and began to pillage and that bring trouble”

The Governor: -“That was a condition provided in the Treaty and you should have sent to Lagos to inform me”

42. Awujale: - “After that a white man came and said that he had heard that three men had been killed. The crowd then became furious and since than the people have became uncontrollable. I afterwards heard of expedition and told the people to beg the Governor, but

The return of His Excellency Governor Carter after the expedition 1892.

43. In the year 1893, a joyous event took place in Lagos after Governor Carter had made peace between the Ibadans Ilerins and Okiti on his returning to Lagos he was heartily welcomed by the people of Lagos. The public streets through which he was to pass were nicely decorated from Ebute-Ero to Government House at Okomaiko, the chiefs, the elders, the Baloguns Giwas or the native Captains, surrounded by a crowd on foot and on horse back, lined the pathway both right and left.

44. When His Excellency arrived at Ebute-Ero, he mounted his charger and accompanied by his escort, followed by the crowd with drums, horns and tomtoms, the people who lined both pathways shouting everywhere- “Oku abo” – “Welcome – till His Excellency’s arrival at the Government House. The guard of honor presented and the band played “the National Anthem”. And he entered the house he was received by the chief Registrar Otumba Payne and the white-cap-chiefs headed by Chief Eletu Odibo. Then three cheers were given and his Excellency bowed and thanked them all, this closed the occasion