THE DESTRUCTION OF THE EPOS AND THE DEATH OF OJO AMEPO

Notwithstanding the Fulani devastations, there were not wanting still among the Yorubas powerful generals, who could successfully oppose them if only they would act together. One such was Ojo Amepo the Kakanfo.

Ojo Amepo was one of the generals of the late Kakanfo Afonja of Ilorin; he inherited the lion-like spirit of his chief. After the fall of Afonja he resided at Akesè, where he found employment for his enterprising spirit in waging intestine wars with the Epòs, and became a great man and a terror in that district. Thus Ojo Amepo usurped the prerogatives of the Alâfin in that district.

He took Iwàre, Okiti, Ajerun, Koto, Ajabe, towns near Ijaye, and he assumed the title of Kakanfo in opposition to Edun of Gbogun whom, however, he survived (as Edun himself formerly did in opposition to Toyeje of Ogbomoso) showing the state of anarchy in the kingdom as there can be but one Kakanfo at a time.

Amepo was a good horseman and an intrepid warrior. Ago was one of the towns in the Epo district. Oja the founder perished at the Kanla war as we have already noticed, and the only man of power then in that town was Prince Atiba formerly of Gudugbu, and he was in friendly alliance with the Ilorins and abetted them, when they were resolved upon subjugating the Epòs.