Former Senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has highlighted a series of historic confrontations between British colonial forces and indigenous Nigerian kingdoms, emphasizing the resistance and resilience shown by local communities across the country during the colonial conquest.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Sani listed key battles that occurred across various regions of Nigeria during the colonial era, many of which have been largely forgotten in mainstream historical discourse.
In Northern Nigeria, the following battles were recorded:
Zaria (1902)
Kano (1903)
Sokoto (1903)
Gombe-Bauchi axis (1902)
In Western Nigeria:
Lagos (1851)
Ijebu Kingdom (1892)
In the South-East region:
Aro Confederacy resistance (1901–1902)
In the Benin region:
Benin City (1896–1897)
Essan Land (1899–1906)
Sani also mentioned significant resistance in the Niger Delta, where fierce clashes occurred in:
Opobo Kingdom
Nembe and Kalabari
Ukwuani areas
Urhobo territories (1884–1960)
“These were heroic and often brutal battles where Nigerians resisted foreign domination. They must not be forgotten,” Sani stated.
His remarks come at a time of renewed interest in decolonizing African history and recognizing the indigenous efforts that shaped Nigeria’s resistance narrative during the British incursion. Full Details
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