THE LITTLE KNOWN WAR (THE ARO-ANGLO WAR OF 1901-1902)

Little is said about the Anglo-Aro war of the 19th century. Only a few Nigerians including the people of Eastern Nigeria where the war occurred know about this struggle that lasted nearly half a year (November 1901- March 1902).

The Aro people are found in the ancient kingdom of Arochukwu in present day Abia state. The Aros are situated on the west bank of Cross river near Itu. Tradition has it that non-Igbos were once the lords of the area until a revolt from Igbo settlers defeated and took the lands from their land lords. The Ibibio-Aro war of  17th century ended with the defeat of the Ibibios by the Aro migrants. It was also believed the Oracle Ibini Opkabe (their most potent Deity) played a central role in the coming to power of the Igbo settlers and their subsequent progress. The Arochukwu (meaning voice of God) drew the name from strong affinity to fetish ways, of which the oracle Ibini Okpabe played a vital role.

The Aros formed a strong alliance with her neighbors. The Confederacy the Aros established covered the eastern part of Nigeria and stretched into the middle belt and delta areas of today's Nigeria. The Aros grew in power and trade, their military reached a zenith within the Cross River area. They were feared and no opposition arose against them. They established strong trade centers for slaves, palmnuts and palm oil.

Problem began to brew when the British arrived the west bank of Cross River. At first the Aros acted as dependable middlemen between the people of the hitherlands and the British. Agricultural produce from the interior areas of eastern Nigeria such as Ibeku, Owerri etc were first sold to Aro middlemen who in turn sold to the Royal Niger Company of Britain.This was a win win situation for all parties. The British became greedy along the line and pushed to get into the hitherlands to conduct trade directly. The British wanted to cut cost and also to garner as much raw materials as the hitherlands can be stretched.

The Royal Niger Company of Britain sought to by pass the normal chain of trade and this caused friction between the Aros and the British.The people of Aro feared the coming British power will destroy the already established way of life which includes the culture and traditions of the indigenous people. The alliance established between the Aros and her neighbors provided the Confederacy soldiers. These men were used to blockade the British advance into the hitherlands.

Not all indigenous people located on the western Cross River sided with the Aro Confederacy. Some allied with the British providing intel on the movement and situation of the Confederacy.

The Aros led by Okoro Toti launched a preepmtive attack on November 1901, they attacked and sacked Obegu, a British ally. The assault on Obegu resulted to many casualties. Obegu is located in present day Ugwunagbo local government in Abia state Nigeria. The British under Arthur Forbes Montanaro began a counter offensive penetration in the same month. Arthur chose to attack from four routes namely Ogwuta, Uwana, Agwete and Utu. Athur led about 2000+ combatant against  5000-6000 Aro defenders, the Aros fought out of sheer courage. The British soldiers were well equipped yet the Aros gave stiff opposition. For four days the British fought on until the defenders yielded, Arochukwu was then captured.

The Aro defenders dug trenches. They fought with what they can muster, majorly with machete. Less than a thousand soldiers armed with dane guns manned the trenches while the bulk of defenders stayed behind with machete ready to fill up positions in the trenches or provide direct assault on the British lines.
The Aros held on till March of 1902 when they finally surrendered at the battle of Bende.At the end of the war Okoro Toti was arrested and hanged by the British. The defeat did not silence the Aro people. They went on to participate and in most cases chaired major uprisings against British occupation. Though the sacrifice of these great men are partially forgotten, they showed us no enemy should be tolerated because of fear.

Greatest African Warrior Kings Of All Times..

               

SHAKA ZULU (1816-1828)

Shaka Zulu is a household name in Africa whenever might and brain on battlefields are discussed. He had a challenging childhood but never allowed it to be a stumbling block. Shaka was a military genus who refined many locally accepted war practices. Fearlessly he led his army against formidable enemies and came out victorious.History says Shaka was brutal and horrific on certain occasions. He carried out numerous assassinations, in some cases innocent villagers were executed.  He solidified and expanded the Zulu kingdom of South Africa.

THUTMOSE III 1479–1425 BC

Thutmose III had a long reign over Egypt.For 54 years he oversaw the progress of the most advanced civilization of that time. He stretched the powers of Egypt to far Northern and southern Syria through conquest, he was an intelligent statesman. Thutmose is regarded as the greatest war genius of ancient Egypt, Hence the name 'Napoleon of Egypt'. He also took lands in Canaan, Nubia and Mitanni cementing his lordship over a wide range of land across two continents.

SUNNI ALI BER 1464 – 1492

You must have heard the name 'Timbuktu' the acclaimed city of gold. Sunni Ali was the founder and first monarch of the famed Songhai empire. He founded the first capital of the Songhai empire Gao, from here he launched his conquests. He grew the strength of the empire to a zenith, then turned his attention towards the once mighty Malian empire. He subdued the once feared Malians taking their leading cities of which Timbuktu was the chief. He also established trade centers within his kingdom. Grain was the chief exported goods of the empire.

MANSA MUSA(c. 1280—c. 1337)

He was the the 10th emperor of the Malian empire. He took over an already established state. Musa did not hang his sword and relax, rather he continued the expansion of the great Malian empire. Mansa Musa took the Malian empire to a whole new level not only in military but in trade. During his reign the mining of gold increased so was the empire's wealth. Some claim he was the richest man to ever live because of his enormous wealth. He also started and completed so many buildings of architectural prowess within the Empire. He encouraged education establishing the university of Sankore.

HANNIBAL BARCA (247-183 BC)
Perhaps Hannibal was the greatest warrior Africa produced till date.His name is a household name all over the world. Till date his military tactics are studied in various Military academies.He is regarded by many military schools as the greatest military strategist of all time.
Hannibal can be regarded as the greatest freedom fighter of the continent. His country Carthage was under Roman rule and this did not go well with the warrior prince. Leading and army at the tender age of 26 c. he began a military campaign (the second Punic war) against the Roman empire that lasted for so many years. He marched into Italy and occupied Roman territories for 15 years. His presence in Italy was terror to the Romans, he defeated army after army sent to defeat him. Hannibal remained undefeated in Italy till he left Europe to defend Carthage. Defeated by the Romans at home in Carthage he fled to Seleucid where he joined the king's court as a military adviser. Seleucid went to war against Rome and Hannibal provided the best assistance he could give to the court of Seleucid. The Seleucid were defeated by the Romans and the great warrior fled. His final notable victory came at a naval battle against a fleet from Pergamon. Hannibal committed suicide rather than falling into the hands of his arch enemies- the Romans.

IDRIS ALOOMA (1580–1617)
Few kings are willing to risk their lives in battle, Idris Alooma was such a king.Idris Alooma was the Mai of Kaneem-Bornu empire between 1564–1596. His empire included areas of the modern day Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Like Shaka Zulu though before him, he reorganized the army and introduced various amendments. Idris Alooma made functional and easy to attain military policies. He extended the Sefawa power over the Kanuri empire. He also sought to expand the kingdom of Bornu. The majority of wealth flowing into the empire came through plunder and tribute from conquered lands. Idris Alooma also controlled trade routes to North Africa giving him a healthy monopoly. He began a steady campaign which united all semi-independent states within Bornu into a united Islamic state.Idris Alooma brought military and civil success to the kingdom of Bornu.