Asofẹ́yẹjẹ War of 1844: Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́’s Victory Over Ìlọrin, Instigated by Ìbàdàn 

During the Bátẹ̀dó/Ìjàyè War from 1844 to 1846, the forces of Ìbàdàn and Ìjàyè clashed fiercely. The alliance of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ was also sought by both sides.

Ògúnrùnbi, a notable Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ war chief, declared his support for Ìbàdàn without the permission of the Baálẹ̀. However, Baálẹ̀ Jayéọlá Báíyéwùwọ́n Kélébénìjà of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ and his council sided with Ìjàyè, alongside Abẹ́òkúta.

In response, Olúyọ̀lé, the Bashọ̀run of Ìbàdàn, sought the alliance of the Emir of Ìlọrin and the assistance of his powerful Balógun Àlí, to wage war against Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́. 

To secure their support, Olúyọ̀lé sent provisions to the Ilorin troops, who were suffering from a severe food shortage, and requested that they lay siege to Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́. He also sent a contingent of infantry to aid the Ìlọrin forces.

The war that ensued became known as Asofẹ́yẹjẹ—Aso-fún-ẹiye-jẹ meaning “fruited for birds to consume”. It was clear that the war was masterminded by Ìbàdàn but executed by Ìlọrin.

The combined forces of Ìlọrin and Ìbàdàn mounted an effective blockade, striking at the heart of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́. The people were trapped, with all gates of the town sealed from the inside.

The enemy was determined to starve the town into submission before conquering the survivors. Horsemen patrolled the walls, ensuring the blockade was complete.

It was a critical time for Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́. Famine gripped the town so severely that parents would place stones in cooking pots, telling their starving children that food was almost ready, just to keep them quiet for a while.

The enemies, aware of this dire situation, mocked the people of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, throwing melon fruits over the wall and taunting:

“Ẹ̀yin ará Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́,

Bẹ ti pọ̀ tó bẹ́ẹ̀ lẹ gọ̀ tó,

Ẹ̀ ńpa rànùn láàrin ìlú.”

(O people of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́,

As many as you are, so is your foolishness,

You swarm aimlessly within your town.)

Fruit trees in the surrounding farms ripened, but the farmers dared not venture out to harvest them. As a result, birds feasted on the ripened fruits, giving rise to the name Asofẹ́yẹjẹ – Aso-fún-ẹiye-jẹ (fruited for birds to devour). 

The situation became intolerable, prompting the Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ war council to hold desperate meetings. Eventually, they devised a tactical offensive to break the siege.

Although Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ was not lacking in men of valour, why the warlords allowed the situation to deteriorate so gravely remains a mystery.

The Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ army reorganized, divided into four camps, and launched a coordinated attack from all sides. They fought valiantly against the besieging Ìlọrin forces.

The strategy paid off, as it was a well-executed defence that transitioned into a brilliant attack led by the war leaders.

Àrẹàgò, Abẹsẹ̀, and Kuola, along with their forces, advanced towards Apàké; Bameke and Ò̩gúnròmbí took the Adunrin route; Oluya and Lágbẹ̀dù were assigned to Pàkú; while the king, Kélébé, and Lálùdé took charge of Pópó.

In the end, Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ gained the upper hand, routing and displacing the Ìlọrin marauders, driving them back to their homeland, thus winning the Asofẹ́yẹjẹ War.

However, the men of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ did not pursue them far, recognizing that the Ìlọrin forces were skilled horsemen and had many Sarumis (cavalry warriors) who were formidable on horseback, unlike the infantry-heavy Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ forces.

REFERENCE

1. History of Yoruba by Rev Samuel Johnson
2. Iwe Itan Yoruba by Prof ND Oyerinde
3. Ogbomoso in the Early Times, Modern Era and in Today’s Contemporary World by Chief Oyebisi Okewuyi
4. Ogbomoso Insight Website