LATOOSA: THE KAKANFO THAT TRIGGERED KIRIJI WAR By Samuel Adekunle Obadoke Latoosa (or Latosisa) of Ibadan, the 12th Kakanfo. He is worthy of mention because he was the Kakanfo in office when again, several parts of Yorubaland were at war — the Kiriji War, said to be the longest civil war in global history, and was fought for 16 years from 1877-1893. He was also the last military Kakanfo, being succeeded by a honourary holder, Samuel Ladoke Akintola. On October 3, 1871, Latoosa was installed Aare Ona Kakanfo and ruler of Ibadan. Originally from Ilora, not far from today’s Oyo, Latoosa was a palm tree farmer said to have possessed intimate knowledge of the palm plant, and could tell when a palm tree would bear fruits with precision. On arrival in Ibadan, Latoosa joined Basorun Ogunmola’s army and soon became the captain of his guards. Aare-Ona-Kakanfo For a long time, some say as much as 16 years, Latoosa remained childless, despite sacrifices and propitiations to the gods of the la...
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