THE IGALA KINGDOM: A LEGACY OF RESISTANCE AND THE RIGHT TO SOVEREIGNTY AND ALSO THE DEFENDERS OF THE KINGDOM Comrade Enemona Abel Ellah Social Media Storyline – Episode 120 The Attah Igala, as both a spiritual and political leader, has historically played a key role in safeguarding the kingdom from external threats. Each Attah faced unique challenges in resisting colonial infiltration and political fragmentation, yet all demonstrated remarkable bravery and strategic insight. ATTAH EKELEAGA (Om’Ogala) and the First British Confrontation (1831) In 1831, the British, under the guise of trade expansion, attempted to claim Igala land by establishing a trading post. Attah Ekeleaga, a leader of exceptional wisdom, saw through their deception and refused to sign any agreements that would compromise the sovereignty of the Igala nation. His defiance resulted in British conspiracies, including assassination attempts orchestrated through traitors within the palace. This marked the beginning of the Igala Kingdom’s resistance against colonial manipulation. ATTAH AMEH OCHEJE (Om’Itodo) and the Deed of Cession (1841) end of slaves trade agreement signed. By 1841, the British returned with more sophisticated tactics of deceit. Attah Ameh Ocheje, a diplomatic ruler, refused outright surrender but agreed to a lease arrangement. However, the British fraudulently used this agreement as a basis to claim ownership of Igala land during the 1884–85 Berlin Conference, where European nations partitioned Africa. This deceit led to the forced integration of Igala land into the emerging British colonial structure in Nigeria. ATTAH AMEAGA (Om’Ekeleaga) and the British Betrayal Upon discovering the fraudulent British claims over Igala land, Attah Ameaga protested against the colonial forces. In retaliation, the British launched a brutal military attack on Idah, bombarding the town for three days and nights. However, the palace of the Attah remained miraculously untouched, symbolizing the mystical strength and resilience of the Igala spirit. ATTAH OCHEJE ONOJAH (Om’Ameh Ocheje) and the Naval Defense (1900–1903) During the British push to consolidate their rule over the Igala Kingdom, Attah Ocheje Onokpa organized a naval defense using the Agaidoko warriors along the River Niger. His forces disrupted British operations and resisted direct colonial control. Unable to defeat him through military confrontation, the British resorted to political exile, sending him to Asaba, where he later passed away in 1903. ATTAH OBONI AKWU (Om’Odoba) and Mystical Resistance Attah Oboni Akwu was a ruler feared by the British due to his supernatural abilities. He was believed to possess the power to disappear at will and multiply himself into multiple figures. The British, wary of confronting him directly, resorted to secretive means to neutralize his influence. His mystical presence remains one of the most legendary accounts of Igala resistance. ATTAH OGUCHE AKPA (Om’Okoliko) and the 1914 Amalgamation During the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, Attah Oguche Akpa strongly opposed the forced integration of the Igala Kingdom into the new colonial structure. He foresaw the negative consequences of this political move, warning that the Igala people would suffer under a system designed to weaken their autonomy. In response, the British fragmented the Igala Kingdom, placing various territories under different administrative provinces such as Onitsha and Kabba. This calculated colonial strategy was aimed at dismantling the unity and administrative power of the Igala nation. ATTAH ATABO IJOMI (Om’Aga) and the Struggle for Restoration (1918) Attah Atabo Ijomi led efforts to reclaim lost Igala territories. Although he achieved partial success, the colonialists ensured that key Igala lands remained under external control. His reign exposed the systematic efforts to divide and politically suppress the Igala Kingdom. ATTAH AMEH OBONI (1945–1956) and the Battle Against Forced Subjugation Attah Ameh Oboni remains one of the most revered defenders of Igala sovereignty. He resisted British-imposed policies designed to weaken the Attah's authority. His refusal to bow to colonial demands led to severe political consequences, including attempts to undermine his leadership. His legacy symbolizes the last significant resistance against colonial domination. THE DEVASTATION OF IGALA LAND AND THE FIGHT FOR SOVEREIGNTY The British did not only seize Igala land but also looted its royal artifacts, stripping the kingdom of its cultural heritage. Unlike the Benin Kingdom, which has actively reclaimed stolen artifacts, Igala treasures remain locked in British museums, silent witnesses to the kingdom’s stolen history. Furthermore, colonial boundary adjustments led to the loss of key Igala territories such as Nsukka, Idoma land, Onitsha North, and parts of Egbira land. These areas, once integral to the Igala Kingdom, were politically detached through British manipulation, further weakening Igala unity and administrative strength. Why the Igala Nation Must Demand Sovereignty The Igala people must awaken to their right to self-determination and sovereignty. The colonial strategies that weakened Igala unity continue today through political and economic marginalization. To rectify these historical injustices, the Igala nation must demand: 1. Recognition of Historical Sovereignty: The Igala Kingdom was an independent entity before colonial invasion. The Attah Igala ruled vast territories, recognized by international travelers and historians. 2. Correction of Colonial Fraud: The fraudulent British annexation of Igala land must be acknowledged and addressed. 3. Political and Economic Empowerment: Despite its rich resources, Igala land has been sidelined in Nigeria’s economic and political landscape. This must change. 4. Cultural Reclamation: The return of Igala artifacts and the restoration of lost territories must be prioritized. 5. Self-Governance: The Igala people must regain control over their destiny rather than being subjected to manipulated political structures that do not serve their interests. The Igala Kingdom has stood the test of time, enduring centuries of political and military resistance against external forces seeking to impose control over its sovereignty. From European colonialists to contemporary political manipulation, the resilience of the Igala people remains an enduring symbol of defiance and self-determination. The bravery of past Attah Igala—from Attah Ekeleaga to Attah Ameh Oboni—demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Igala Kingdom to protect its land, people, and traditions. However, despite this history of defiance, the Igala people today find themselves politically and economically marginalized. Given this historical context, it is imperative for the Igala nation to reclaim its right to self-determination, resist political subjugation, and restore its dignity as a sovereign entity. For centuries, the Igala Kingdom has resisted external domination, from the deceptive treaties of the 19th century to modern-day political manipulations. The legacy of past Attah Igala, who fiercely defended the kingdom, must serve as a guiding force in reclaiming Igala’s rightful place in history. The time has come for the Igala people to rise, unite, and demand their sovereignty. This struggle is not just a political necessity but a historical obligation. The Igala nation must no longer remain silent while its identity, history, and autonomy are continuously undermined. The call for self-determination is a call for justice, and the Igala Kingdom must stand firm in asserting its right to an independent and prosperous future. Comrade Enemona Abel Ellah Social media storyline episode 120