Chapter 4: Gaha’s Stand and the Turning Tide

April 1767, Alaafin send his favourite general, Bashorun Gaha, to lead new war against Benin. Gaha get record for winning war before, both for Nupe and the old Dahomey matter.

This time, Alaafin no call council—he just summon Bashorun Gaha, hand him a red cloth, say, 'Go, no come back unless you win.' Gaha remember all his old victories, tell king say, 'Leave am for me.' Even enemies for city dey fear, say Gaha na war dog.

Alaafin give Gaha 3,000 cavalry, 10,000 shield-bearers from Ibarapa—these ones sabi fight—and Oyo artillery units join body.

The whole of Ibarapa empty, hunters and shield-bearers tie charm for leg, horsemen dey shine their spearhead. City youths rush to see cavalry display, children dey count horse. Artillery men dey load powder, women dey sing to encourage them.

Alaafin believe say this one go finish the matter.

Everybody for palace dey dance, believe say Oyo glory go return. Even priests for Sango shrine dey assure king say victory dey sure this time. For market, people dey already prepare yam and palm oil for victory feast.

Gaha no disappoint at first. His army dey win dey go, defeat Benin along the way, even reach near Benin capital, Edo.

The first few battles, Gaha army move like hurricane—Benin outposts fall, villages surrender. Gaha men dey boast say by next new moon, dem go drink palm wine for Oba palace. Dust rise as Oyo army reach near Edo, Benin capital. For Oyo, celebration don start.

The Oba of Benin, Eresoyen, rush recall 30,000 soldiers from Warri. Dem dodge the strong places, attack where Oyo army weak, cut off their food supply. Oyo army hungry, nothing to eat.

Oba Eresoyen, sharp man, no waste time. He summon his Warri garrison—30,000 strong. Instead of face Gaha direct, dem begin cut supply line. Food and water dry for Oyo camp, dem begin chop lizard and bitter leaf. Night and day, Benin men dey fire arrow and gun, even disease enter Oyo camp.

After one month, as Gaha army dey try run, Benin surround them near Oyo border. Gaha try cover for his men, but dem kill am for battle.

Night fall, Oyo men try sneak escape, but Benin surround everywhere. In the chaos, Bashorun Gaha stand last—shield up, spear in hand, but Benin bullet find am. Gaha fall, his men scatter, and the ground swallow the legend. For Oyo, everybody weep.

When the news land, everybody for Oyo shock. Alaafin shock, vex join.

Palace quiet, even the king’s drum refuse sound. Women cover head, elders gather, eyes red. Some talk say Alaafin himself cry that night, his wrapper soaked with tears. War priests beat their staff, say the land dey mourn.

He carry another Oyo commander, Balogun Ogunleye, wey fail to rescue Gaha, execute am by slow poison—na only him, among all Oyo big men in almost 300 years, chop that kind death—come even punish Ogunleye family join.

No pity—Ogunleye brought in chains, palace herbalist prepare slow poison. For weeks, Ogunleye waste away, his family chased from city. Market women whisper, say, 'Na curse!' Even Ogunleye enemies dey pity him, because for Oyo, that kain punishment rare well.