Adubi War

The Adubi War, also known as the Ẹgba Uprising, was a revolt against British colonial rule in the Egba region of present-day Nigeria in 1918. It was primarily triggered by the imposition of direct taxation and forced labor by the British administration, policies that were deeply unpopular and perceived as oppressive by the Egba people.

The Egba, who had previously enjoyed a degree of autonomy under their own rulers (the Alake of Egbaland and the Egbe Agba, a council of chiefs), saw these measures as a violation of their existing treaties and a threat to their traditional way of life. The war was named after Adubi, a village where a railway line was destroyed by the rebels.

The uprising was led by various figures, including farmers, chiefs, and religious leaders, who mobilized communities across Egbaland to resist the colonial government. Tactics employed by the rebels included sabotage of infrastructure, attacks on British officials and their collaborators, and the disruption of trade.

The British responded with military force, deploying troops from the West African Frontier Force. The conflict lasted for several weeks and resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Ultimately, the superior firepower of the British forces led to the suppression of the rebellion.

Following the war, the British authorities imposed stricter control over the Egba region. The Alake's power was further diminished, and the Egbe Agba was reformed under British supervision. While the Adubi War was ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its immediate goals of reversing the colonial policies, it remains a significant event in Nigerian history, demonstrating the resistance to British rule and the desire for self-determination among the Egba people. The war also served as a precursor to later nationalist movements in Nigeria.