The Ekumeku resistance stands as one of the reasons behind the strained relationship between the British and the Igbo people of Nigeria. It was a protracted war that lasted 31 years, marking one of the most resilient African uprisings against British imperialism.
Background: The British Quest for African Dominance
The 1884-1885 Berlin Conference granted European nations the right to claim territories and resources in Africa. Britain, already engaged in trade with coastal African cities during the 19th century, began a campaign to extend its control over indigenous African nations. Numerous African tribes resisted, leading to several wars. One of the most notable was the Igbo people, a major ethnic group in Nigeria.
The Birth of the Ekumeku Movement (1893-1914)
The Ekumeku Movement, a coalition of Anioma warriors, emerged as a formidable force that resisted British invasion for 31 years. Using guerrilla warfare tactics, these warriors, bound by secret oaths, launched strategic attacks against British forces, particularly the Royal Niger Company. They aimed to protect their land and uphold their right to live free from foreign domination.
Drawn from the Anioma communities, the Ekumeku warriors faced fierce bombardment as the British sought to break their resistance. Despite the superior firepower of the British, the Ekumeku remained resolute in defending their homeland.
Key Battles and British Retaliation
The war escalated after the British invaded Ndoni in 1870 and bombarded Onitsha (Onicha-Ado) on November 2, 1897. The Anioma people of Ibusa fiercely engaged British forces in 1898, while significant battles took place in Owa/Okwunzu in 1904. Despite the determination of British commanders like W.E.B Crawford and S.O. Crewe, the Ekumeku warriors dealt significant blows to their forces, with several British officers losing their lives in battle.
In 1909, the Ekumeku once again rose to challenge British authority, with Ogwashi-Ukwu becoming the center of intense warfare. H.C. Chapman, a British officer, was killed during this battle, further intensifying the British resolve to crush the resistance.
The Downfall of the Ekumeku Movement
Though the Ekumeku warriors fought valiantly, the lack of equivalent firepower and the absence of strong alliances with other Igbo communities led to their eventual defeat. In December 1902, the British launched a major offensive, destroying towns and imprisoning key leaders. Although the British claimed victory, the Ekumeku movement resurfaced in 1904, with renewed vigor.
The final blow came in 1914, the same year that the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria were amalgamated. After three decades of fighting, the Ekumeku movement was finally subdued.
Legacy and Heroes of the Ekumeku War
The Ekumeku movement remains one of the bravest campaigns against British colonial rule in Africa, inspiring later rebellions, such as the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. The legacy of the Ekumeku warriors lives on in Anioma land, where their bravery is celebrated to this day.
Some of the notable leaders of this resistance include Dunwku Isus of Onicha-Olona, Nwabuzo Iyogolo of Ogwashi-Ukwu, Awuno Ugbo, Obi of Akumazi, Aggbambu Oshue of Igbuzo, Idabor of Issele-Ukwu, Ochei Aghaeze of Onicha-Olona, Abuzu of Idumuje-Unor, and Idegwu Otokpoike of Ubulu-Ukwu.
The Enduring Impact of British-Igbo Hostility
The Ekumeku resistance exemplifies the long-standing opposition of the Igbo people to British domination. This resistance continued into the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970), where the British were accused of supplying weapons to Northern and Western Nigerian factions to suppress the Igbos. The British atrocities committed against the Igbo people remain a point of historical contention, underscoring the deep-seated mistrust between the two groups.
