ROLE OF COLLABORATORS AND MERCENARIES IN THE BIDA LED WARS IN AFEMAI LAND 1860-1897
Abstract
In the second half of the 19th Century, the inhabitants of the three geographical regions of Afemai land experienced sporadic but coordinated military attacks organized by the Bida Jihadists whose primary objective was to take advantage of the human and economic potentials of the Afemai. In spite of their resoluteness and gallantry in defending their sovereignty, the indigenes like most other communities in the Niger-Benue confluence area were forced to surrender to the highly mobile and tactical military of Bida. Factors responsible for the defeat suffered by the Afemai have become an issue of controversy within academic circles and among traditions who blame the intimidating military and superior weapons deployed by the invaders against the indigenous warriors as reason for the defeat. This paper aver that the successful invasion and subsequent conquest of Afemai by the enemy has more to do with the assistance received from indigenous and external collaborators who provided the Bida with all the information, logistics and other military supports required to achieve their annexation plot. In analyzing this aspect of the Jihad in Afemai which has been relatively neglected, certain perceptible issues that enriched our knowledge on the general trend of events and missing in previous studies are brought to the fore.
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Ibid., Interview with Chief Ozimede
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Sedenu Jimoh Audu, Nupe-Afemai Military Encounters, 1867-1897: Strategies and Tactics of the Parties, (M.A Dissertation, Department of History and War Studies), Nigerian Defence Academy, Kadun, August, 2017, p.p.57.
Ibid., Interview with Chief Ozimede
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Ibid., Sedenu Jimoh Audu, Nupe-Afemai Military Encounters, 1867-1897: Strategies and Tactics of the Parties,… p.p.56-57.
Ibid.,
Ibid., Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe,
Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe,…p.57.
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Ibid., Interview with Chief Ozimede
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Ibid., Interview with Chief Ozimede & Ibid., Obaro Ikime & S. O Osoba (eds.), “European Conquest and African Resistance,… p.1.
Ibid, Eddy O. Erhagbe, The Dynamics of Inter Group Relations,…p. 212, & Michael Onyedika Nwalutu, “Healing Bereavement through Rituals: A Review of the Weppa Wanno Widowhood Purification Practices”, in Journal of Sociology Mind, vol. 2, No. 2, Published online July 2012 in SciRes (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/sm/, p.319.
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Michael Mason, The Jihad in the South: An Outline of the Nineteenth Century Nupe Hegemony in North-Eastern Yorubaland and Afenmai in TARIKH, Journal of The Historical Society of Nigeria, vol.v, No.2, June 1970, p.204.
Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe, & Edward Oregbheme Erhagbe, “Etsakoland in Transition c.1860-1948: An Analysis of Change in an Indigenous Nigerian Society, M. A. Dissertation, Department of History, University of Benin, March, 1982, p.p. 61-64.
Sule Mohammed, History of the Emirate of Bida to 1899 AD., Ahmadu Bello University Press Limited, Zaria: Kaduna, 2011, p.173.
Ibid., Michael Onyedika Nwalutu, “Healing Bereavement….p.319.
Ibid, Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe, & Ibid, Edward Edward Oregbheme Erhagbe, “Etsakoland in Transition c.1860-1948,…p.p. 61-64. & Stanfield, D. P, “Intelligence Report on the Aviele Clan, Kukuruku Division, Benin Provinces, 1937”, in Edward Oregbheme Erhagbe, “Etsakoland in Transition c.1860-1948: An Analysis of Change in an Indigenous Nigerian Society, M. A. Dissertation, Department of History, University of Benin, March, 1982, p.63.
Ibid., Sedenu Jimoh Audu, Nupe-Afemai Military Encounters, 1867-1897: Strategies and Tactics of the Parties,…p.129. & Enegbuma and Albert Odigiep.80)(Stanley Enegbuma and Albert O. Odigie, “Okpekpe of North Ibie (Northern Edo) Resistance to Nupe Ghazi (Raids) in the 19th C”, Umewaen: Journal of Benin and Edo Studies, Vol. 4, 2019, p.80.
Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe, Ibid.,
Stanley Enegbuma and Albert O. Odigie, “Okpekpe of North Ibie (Northern Edo) Resistance to Nupe Ghazi (Raids) in the 19th C”, Umewaen: Journal of Benin and Edo Studies, Vol. 4, 2019, p.80.
Ibid.,
Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe,
Ibid., Sedenu Jimoh Audu, Nupe-Afemai Military Encounters, 1867-1897: Strategies and Tactics of the Parties,…p.88.
Interview with Mallam Salami Opketu Osigbeme popularly known as Elder Ashiyele, 27/12/2016, a native of North Ibie of Afemai but reside at Agenebode, 76 years.
Ibid., Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,…p.101. & Ibid., Edward Oregbheme Erhagbe, Etsako Land in Transition,…p.63.
Ibid., Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,… p.101.
Interview with Prince Ahmedu Ozimede, 6/1/216, & Eddy O. Erhagbe, “The Dynamics of Inter Group Relations,…p. 212 & Ibid, Edward Oregheme Erhagbe, Etsakoland in Transition 1860-194,… p.p. 61-64.
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Hakeem B. Harunah, A Cultural History of Uneme From the Earliest Times to 1962, Lagos” The Book Company, 2003, p.415.
Ibid., Sedenu Jimoh Audu, Nupe-Afemai Military Encounters, 1867-1897: Strategies and Tactics of the Parties,…p.85.
Ibid., Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,… p.86 & Ibid., Tunde S. Ehkaro, G. O Aliyu, M. Joseph Akanji (eds.), The History of Somorika,…p. 161.
Interview with Chief Abeni Momoh Esezobor, 27/12/2016.
Edward Oregheme Erhagbe, Etsakoland in Transition 1860-194,…p.p. 62-64. & Ibid. Peter Peter Inahoureme Omo-Ananigie, A Brief History of Etsakor, Lagos: Opelfa Press, 1946, p.p. 54-55
Ibid, A. R. Mohammed, “The Sokoto Jihad and its Impact on the Confluence Area and Afenmai”,… p.152, & Ibid, Interview with Chief Abeni Momoh Esezobor, 27/12/2016.
Ibid, A. R. Mohammed, “The Sokoto Jihad and its Impact on the Confluence Area and Afenmai”,… p.152-153, & Edward Oregheme Erhagbe, Etsakoland in Transition 1860-1948,… p.p. 61-64.
Ibid., Edward Oregheme Erhagbe, Etsakoland in Transition 1860-1948,… p.p. 61-64.
Joseph Inegbenebho Osagie, “Colonial Conquest and Resistance: The Case of Esan People of Benin Province of Nigeria”, (CSCanada) Journal of Canadian Social Science, vol. 10, No. 4, 2014, pp. 84-85.
Ibid., Tunde S. Ehkaro, G. O Aliyu, M. Joseph Akanji (eds.), The History of Somorika,…p. 161.
Ibid., Michael Onyedika Nwalutu, “Healing Bereavement Through Rituals: A Review of the Weppa Wanno Widowhood Purification”,… p.319.
Interview with Alhaji Shaykh Muhammad Abdul-Qadir Awal, Chief Imam of Jattu-Uzairue Kingdom, 13/1/2016.
A H. Groom & J. C Walker, “Kukuruku Tribe” in C. L. Temple (eds.) Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, 2nd Edition, London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd., 1965,Ibid, p. 248.
Ibid, Interview with Chief Ahmedu Ozimede,
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Ibid., Hakeem B. Harunah, A Cultural History of Uneme From the Earliest Times to 1962,…p.390-391.
Ibid., p.413-419.
Ibid.,
M. Lard and R. A. C. Oldfield, Narrative of an Expedition in 1832, London: Richard Benttey, 1937, p.420 & Interview with the Oriola of Anegbette and the Clan Head of South Uneme, His Royal Highness Y. M. Ugbodaga, 28/12/2015. & (Joseph Inegbenebho Osagie, “Colonial Conquest and Resistance: The Case of Esan People of Benin Province of Nigeria”, (CSCanada) Journal of Canadian Social Science, vol. 10, No. 4, 2014, pp. 84-85.
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Interview with the Oriola of Anegbette and the Clan Head of South Uneme, His Royal Highness Y. M Ugbodaga. 28/12/2015
Ibid., Hakeem B. Harunah, A Cultural History of Uneme,… p.415.
Ibid., Hakeem B. Harunah, A Cultural History of Uneme,…p.p. 384-419, & Ibid., Ekharo Tunde. S, Aliu G. O., Akanji Joseph M.(eds.), The History of Somorika,…pp. 157-158, & Osaren S. B. Omoregie, The Ironmakers of Great Benin: History of the Uneme People, Benin: Neraso Publishers Limited, 1998, pp.173-176.
Ibid., Hakeem B. Haruna, Cultural History of Uneme, p.390-391.
Ibid.,
Ibid.,
Ibid.,
Ibid, Interview with Chief Ahmedu Ozimede,
Ibid., Kolapo Femi, “The Southward Campaign of Nupe in the Lower Niger Valley”,…p.76.. & Interview with Reverend Anthony Osilama Anaemhomhe,
Johnson Olaosebikan Aremu & Solomon Oluwasola Afolabi, “Akoko Resistance to External Invasion and Domination in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries”, in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), Vol.11, November 2018, p.68.
Ibid., Sedenu Jimoh Audu, Nupe-Afemai Military Encounters, 1867-1897: Strategies and Tactics of the Parties,…
Sule Mohammed, History of the Emirate of Bida to 1899 AD, Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press Limited, 2011, p.189.
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Johnson Olaosebikan Aremu & Solomon Oluwasola Afolabi, Akoko Resistance to External Invasion and Domination in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume II, Issue XI, November 2018., p.69.
Ibid., Michael Masan, The Jihad in the South, p.208.
Ibid., Interview with Chief Ozimede
Interview with Chief Ahmedu Ozimede,
Ibid, Femi Kolapo, European Explorers and Aspects of the 19th Century Nupe History,…p.108.
Ibid,. p.118.
Interview with Professor Ahmed Okene, 13/11/2016, Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 54 years.
Michael Mason, The Foundation of Bida Kingdom, Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press, 1981, p.121.
Ibid., A. I. Okoduwa, “Impact of Slavery in Ancient Benin Kingdom: The Esan Experience”,…p.59-60 & Onaiwa W. Ogbomo, When Men and Women Mattered: A History of Gender Relations Among Owan of Nigeria, University of Rochester Press, New York, 1997, p.126 in https://books.google.com.ng/books?/id=mohuDms & Ibid, Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,… p. 101.
A. I. Okoduwa, “Impact of Slavery in Ancient Benin Kingdom:”,…pp. 59-60.
Johnson Olaosebikan Aremu & Solomon Oluwasola Afolabi, Akoko Resistance to External Invasion and Domination in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume II, Issue XI, November 2018, p.69.
Faboyede Olusanya, “Akokoland before Colonial Rule: Earliest Times to 1900, International Journal of Arts and Humanities (IJAH), Vol. 4 (1), S/No. 13, January 2015, p.58.
Ibid., Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,…p.112.
Ibid., p.p. 112-113.
Ibid., Johnson Olaosebikan Aremu & Solomon Oluwasola Afolabi, Akoko Resistance to External Invasion and Domination in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries,… p.69.
Ibid., p.p. 100-101.
NAK KADDADIST Kabba District Notebook, Dupigny (1965, pp.68-9) in Michael Mason, Foundation of the Bida Kingdom …p.78.
Ibid., Michael Masaon, Foundation of the Bida Kingdom,… p.78.
Faboyede Olusanya, “Akokoland before Colonial Rule: Earliest Times to 1900, International Journal of Arts and Humanities (IJAH), Vol. 4 (1), S/No. 13, January 2015, p.58.
Ibid, Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,…p.6 & Michael Onyedika Nwalutu, “Healing Bereavement Through Rituals: A Review of the Weppa Wanno Widowhood Purification”, in Journal of Sociology Mind, Vol. 2, No. 2, Published online, July 2012 in SciRes (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/sm), p.319.
Idris Sha’aba Jimada, The Nupe and the Origin and Evolution of the Yoruba c.1275-1897, Zaria: Abdullahi Smith Centre for Historical Research, 2005, p.p. 99-101.
Ibid., Sule Mohammed, History of the Emirate of Bida…., p.173.
Faboyede Olusanya, “Akokoland before Colonial Rule: Earliest Times to 1900, International Journal of Arts and Humanities (IJAH), Vol. 4 (1), S/No. 13, January 2015, p.58.
Ibid, Robert Elwyn Bradbury; Peter Cutt Lloyd (eds.), The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking People of South-Western Nigeria,…p.112.
Ibid., Michael Mason, Foundation of the Bida Kingdom,….p.p.78-79.
Idris Sha’aba Jimada, The Nupe and the Origin and Evolution of the Yoruba c.1275-1897,…p.99.
Ibid., Idris Sha’aba Jimada, The Nupe and the Origin and Evolution of the Yoruba c.1275-1897,… p.113. & Interview with Chief Ahmedu Ozimede,
Ibid.,
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