Ido-Osun in the History of Offa

 THE MOVEMENT TO IDO-OSUN

On the movement of Offa people to Ido-Osun I wish to draw your attention to the following:

It was during the reign of Oba Okunoye that the war between Offa and Ilorin occurred; this commenced in 1878 and terminated 1886 a period of nine years.

Out of the nine years of the war, Oba Okunoye reigned for five years before he died.  Oba Adegboye took over from him, and fought four years as the Oba before he left town together with his chiefs and people. (For other details consult “gazetteer of Ilorin province “by H.B Hermon Hodge pg. 99).

Balogun Agidiako who was to become the instrument of treachery to Offa people was appointed by Okunoye to succeed his father Balogun Asegbe, as compensation for the support Balogun Asegbe gave to Okunoye to ascend the throne. As soon as Agidiako became Balogun, enmity began between him and Okunoye; Agidiako made frantic efforts to topple Okunoye as the Oba. The military was highly respected at that time. It was during the enmity between Okunoye and Agidiako that the Ilorin people went the Jalumi War. Most Ilorin warriors were reported killed in the war. Owode After the Jalumi war, Ilorin wanted to go to war with Erin-Ile, Okoku, Inisa, Ijabe and as far a town as Ibadan. Ilorin army under the Leadership of Balogun Karara solicited for Oba Okunoye’s assistance, which was rejected, after three months of silence, Balogun Agidiako (the then head of Offa army) decided to meet Oba Okunoye without success and this led to the movement of the former with his army people of Ilorin. We were told that the on the way to Ilorin, Agidiako met prince Oyewale; the don of Temileke, and killed him. Balogun Agidiako, on getting to Ilorin he informed the Ilorin people that he was the only ‘man’ in Offa having left, Ilorin could wage war on Offa. Oba Okunoye solicited for the assistance of Ibadan (which was granted) to fight Ilorin. Oba Okunoye died in 1882 five years after the war commenced.

 Oba Adegboye Atoloyetele became the next Olofa in 1882. The Friday following the day of his father’s Burial, Okunoye. The war between Offa and Ilorin continued and five years after, the war was still on.

At this point, Balogun Karara of Ilorin had to call on Agidiako to justify his claim that after his exit from Offa, there was no man left in Offa. Offa was assisted by Ogbomosho’s and because of their anxiety to defeat Ilorin; a lot of casualties was recorded on the side of the former i.e. the Ogbomosho’s. It must, however, be emphasized that the assistance granted by the Ogbomosho’s strengthened the relationship between Offa and Ogbomosho people till today. During the war, Offa women also fought like men, which manifested as very significant contributions. That day became known as in history as “Ojo ogun ojo”.

We also learnt from history that it was during this war that Ojomu Orisasona, the Jammu Gedegbe of Offa Sent a message to Ilorin suggesting to Ilorin to make a friendship with Ibadan so that Offa will be captured.

Ilorin took advantage of his information and sent message to Ibadan to release Offa to them. At this period Ibadan loved Offa; but because of the prolonged period of the war the former agreed with Ilorin since her Army wanted to return home. The army from Ibadan sent to Olofa that they were proceeding home but promised to send another set of people to continue the war. We were told that Ibadan people informed the newly selected people that as soon as they got to the war, they should endeavor a to cunningly withdraw. This information got to Oba Atoloye and some of his people officially through the Ibadan camp at Ilorin. On receiving the news, Oba Atoloye started packing but along the line he got information that the replacement of Ibadan and Okoku had come. The good news was passed to Offa people. At the point when Offa people were in search of accommodation for the army from Ibadan, Olofa was informed that Offa will be deserted the following day, and so he was advised not to sleep in Offa that day. Oba Atoloye called his people on the night of the said day to relay the bad news and his decision to leave, as he would not want to be captured by Ilorin. On the night of his departure, a well-dressed horse was tied to a stake and the environment was well lit. When Offa people heard the news that Olofa had gone, they visited Olofa’s palace to confirm. On getting there they saw the well-dressed Olofa’s horse and  so Offa people felt quite happy, that after all Olofa was still around.

By the time, Offa people knew indeed Oba Atoloye had gone, it was almost morning and the army from Ilorin had surrounded Offa a so people could no longer escape. At this point the army from Ilorin moved in to capture to capture Offa people including Ojomu Orisasona who had earlier betrayed Offa people. The promise made by Ilorin to ojomu orisasona was not fulfilled. The said day was terrible one pregnant and lactating woman were killed and children were captured as slaves. The archers who were also keeping vigil at the farms at Iyeku had to abandon the farms and proceed to Ido-Osun in their army uniform known as “Gberi Ode”.

On the very day Oba Adegboye left Offa, he went to eko-ende where he proceeded to Ikirun and then osogbo. With the assistance of Balogun Osungbekun of Ibadan Oba adegboye settle down at Offatedo, otherwise referred to Ido-Osun. Offatedo is a town located between Osogbo and Ede where there were water and land to farm. Oba Adegboye’s decision to proceed towards Ibadan was informed by his preference to be enslaved by Ibadan rather than be captured by Ilorin. Indeed, because of the love Ibadan people had for Offa people rather than being enslaved, they were made to become independent. A period between 15 and 19 years was spent by Offa people at Ido-Osun. Offa was deserted in 1886.