Chapter 3: Clash and Catastrophe

With king order, dem move sharp sharp. Oyo army arrange 3,000 soldiers, launch first big counterattack against the Benin wey no dey let them rest.

No time to waste—Gaha summon all local chiefs, recruit hunters, blacksmiths, even farmers wey sabi hold cutlass. For city gate, Oyo women dey pray, sprinkle palm oil for ground. The 3,000 soldiers line up, ready to march as war drums dey beat through night.

Fight break out for near Oke-Ogun chieftain territory. Result: Oyo army chop beating, lose 600 men.

Na ambush Benin set—rain dey fall, bush thick, Oyo men no sabi the ground. Before dem fit arrange formation, Benin gunners open fire. Oyo men fall like mango under strong wind. By evening, 600 never return. Oke-Ogun people cry, even the shrine priest say the ground don drink blood.

When news reach Oyo city, Alaafin vex scatter. He call Aare Ona Kakanfo Oluyole, one Yoruba general wey dey his trusted war council, and order am to plan another attack well.

Alaafin no sleep that night, just dey pace palace corridor. E summon Oluyole, the Aare Ona Kakanfo, early morning. 'Oluyole, this disgrace too much! Go show Benin say Oyo no dey fall anyhow.' Oluyole, full chest, swear with king’s staff, promise to return with victory or never return at all.

Oluyole carry confidence full body. He gather 14,000 men, send the experienced Balogun Ajayi and Otunba Akinlabi to lead troops enter Benin direct, while he dey front himself. He even tell local chiefs to join body.

Oyo city hot—every family dey contribute young men, hunters polish arrowhead, drummers dey beat talking drum, call ancestors. Oluyole split his men, send trusted hands—Balogun Ajayi, Otunba Akinlabi—to open front, while he march straight, head high. Chiefs gather their own boys join the main army, spirit high like Sango festival.

But when fight start, Oyo people realise say dem underrate Benin army.

Rain begin fall as dem enter forest. Benin warriors hide, use masquerade and juju scatter Oyo ranks. Na so Oyo men dey confuse, gunners for back no fit see road. Some Oyo men begin murmur say this battle na spirit fight, not just ordinary war.

For Battle of Ologbo (now near Benin border) December 1766, Oyo army chop serious beating from Benin wey get European-style cannons and field artillery, lose people well. Oluyole, Otunba Akinlabi, and others run cross border, shame catch them.

The ground for Ologbo drink blood. Benin set three big cannons, open fire as Oyo men dey charge. Trees fall, men scatter. Benin men reload their flintlock sharp-sharp, faster than pepper seller dey change price for market. Oyo army try stand, but Benin set warriors with juju powder, dem no dey fear death. At the end, Oluyole, Otunba Akinlabi, and few others manage escape, their clothes torn, head low as dem cross river. For days, Oyo mothers dey search bush for their sons, calling names into thick night, only to hear echo.

After, Alaafin vex more, carry Oluyole, Akinlabi, and others go Oyo city, execute them.

No mercy—Alaafin order make dem kneel for market square, sword flash, head roll—market women cover face, some dey wail. Palace elders vow never to forgive that kind shame.