The Role of Báálẹ̀ Jaiyéọlá Báíyéwùwọ́n Before 1840

Báálẹ̀ Jaiyéọlá Báíyéwùwọ́n, the great-great-grandfather of the current king of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, Oba Afọlábí Ọláoyè, served as the Sọ̀ún of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ from 1833 to 1847.

During his tenure, the city faced relentless attacks from the Fulanis of Ìlọrin, who launched seventeen assaults with the aim of spreading the Koran and Islam to the sea coast. Despite their efforts, these invasions proved unsuccessful.

To protect his beloved city from these persistent threats, Báálẹ̀ Jaiyéọlá orchestrated the construction of Ẹnuọ̀kọ̀ or Ogunọ̀jàlú, a formidable fortress renowned for its invincibility.

The city became known for its exceptional defence; when Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ was threatened, either the attack would be thwarted or the city would emerge victorious.

Sensing their failure to subdue Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, the Ìlọrin forces shifted their strategy in 1840. They turned their attention to Òṣogbo, a major Yorùbá town, hoping to divert Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́’s focus and strike at home to break their defences.

In response, and in line with the Yorùbá constitutional agreement to defend their territory, Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ allied with Ìbàdàn under the leadership of Aláàfin Àtìbà.

The alliance was bolstered by Balógun Ọdẹ́rìnlọ’s army from Ìbàdàn and many distinguished warriors from Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, including Kúọlá, Lálùdé, and Bọ́lántà.

The Battle of Òṣogbo in 1840 marked a decisive defeat for Ìlọrin. For the first time, Ìlọrin suffered a substantial loss at the hands of a superior opponent.

This defeat shattered the Fulanis’ hopes of conquering the Yorùbás and put an end to their expansionist ambitions.

Following this pivotal battle, Ìbàdàn emerged as the preeminent leader and defender of Yorùbá interests for the remainder of the 19th century, until the arrival of colonial powers in the region.