Chapter 1: Giants Prepare

What if, at the height of its power, the old Oyo Empire jammed head-on with the Kingdom of Benin when Benin too dey on top?

That kain clash, my brother, e for shake ground well-well. Oyo and Benin, two proper giants of their time, ready to test muscle. Even elders wey sabi the story dey always nod, say if not for small-small things, West African history for get another chapter entirely. Just imagine the whole country abuzz, from market women for Oje to palm wine tappers for Igun Street, everybody dey reason how these two elephants go take settle matter if dem cross path.

For 18th century, dem dey call Benin the 'graveyard of empires' no be for mouth.

Ask anybody wey sabi—Benin na land wey swallow whole armies, leave only story and bones behind. Some oyibo sef dey fear to near, dem dey talk say na only stubborn spirit go challenge Benin for that time. The bush around Benin thick like old woman wrapper, and the river na wahala on its own. Mosquitoes dey bite like say dem get beef, and the air dey smell of wet earth and palm wine. Anybody wey manage escape go carry scar for body and mind.

That time, Benin army dey waka everywhere for West African forest and river basin. Plenty foreign soldiers just dey fall for the thick, wet bush when dem try fight Benin. The Benin warriors demself carry the latest dane guns and cannons wey dem buy from Portuguese and Dutch traders. Even the British and French wey dey Gold Coast no dey quick do anyhow with them.

E be like say the Benin army na shadow—today here, tomorrow another side. Dem sabi waka for bush, cross river as if na ordinary gutter. When fight bust, you go hear the loud voice of their war drums, with masquerades and juju priests dey boost their courage. You go hear the ikoro drum and see fierce Egungun dancers spin, their raffia skirts raising dust. If you see the way dem dey handle guns—dane gun, flintlock, even small cannon—e go be like say the weapon dey born for their hand. Benin men reload their flintlock sharp-sharp, faster than pepper seller dey change price for market. No be all these today soldiers wey just dey pose, Benin men na real war people.

Later, the Benin come face Oyo Empire under Alaafin Abiodun.

That period, Alaafin Abiodun na person wey get mind, wey sabi how to arrange men for battle and how to respect tradition. Oyo empire self no be beans—dem get cavalry, strong palaces, and men wey dey swear for war. But this fight wey dey come so, e pass just ordinary flexing of power. Na who go control West Africa dem dey talk about.

To talk true, many people today no fit imagine how strong Benin be that time. No be exaggeration—Benin na the real oga for West Africa that period.

Even people wey no like Benin that time dey swallow spit when dem hear Oba Eresoyen name. If person dey waka for Niger Delta or Yoruba land and e hear Benin dey come, na to find where to hide. For city, you fit hear elders dey toast children: 'No make noise! Benin go carry you!' True true, Benin be lion for that period.

The reason dey simple: their army too sabi fight.

Any small mistake for battle front, Benin general fit flog person for open ground, or even offer small sacrifice make their gods no vex. If you break line, na koboko straight—no pity, even if your papa na chief. The army dey run like well-oiled palm kernel press—discipline from top reach bottom. Na why no other kingdom fit withstand their march for long. Dem fit move for rain or sun, and nothing dey stop dem when Oba don give order.

Between 1750 reach 1760s, just within small time, the Benin army nearly finish all the kingdoms wey dey Niger Delta and Yoruba land.

People still dey tell story for village square about how Benin men go march, red cloth for head, face full of powder, war charm for waist. Every town dem touch, people dey shout and cry, markets go close, some people go even try disguise, wear woman cloth so Benin soldiers no go carry dem. If you waka from Benin reach Niger, you go see burnt huts, abandoned shrines, and the fear of Benin still dey for the air.

1) For northwest, Benin army scatter Nupe Kingdom and Borgu Kingdom for present-day Niger State.

2) For north, dem crush the Ishan States.

3) For southeast, dem conquer the Igala Kingdom.

4) For south, Benin dey finish Itsekiri Kingdom, dem don even capture Warri, and Itsekiri dey almost surrender finish.

People talk say even river gods dey run when Benin army dey cross. Nupe, Borgu, Ishan, Igala, Itsekiri—all of them chop pepper. Children born for those years dey bear names like 'Oghenekaro' and 'Aremu' to remind family of survival. In Warri, women dey sing sorrow song, their voice low, as they hear Benin drums dey near their market.