Aare Latoosa of Ibadan

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Obadoke Latoosa Oyatoosa, (c. 1820s - 1885) but more commonly referred to as Latoosa (or Latosisa), and later Mohammed Obadoke Latoosa,^[1] was a Yoruba General, Warlord, and Chief who was the Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Oyo Empire, the ruler of the self proclaimed Ibadan Empire,^[3] and the commander and leader of the Western forces of Ibadan during the Kiriji War^[1][4] from 1877 to his death in 1885.^[5]

Born in the small village of Ilora near Oyo, he was a palm tree farmer before rising to prominence as a leader during the early history of Ibadan. He was trained as a warrior in Bashorun Ogunmola's private army from where he led detachments of Ibadan soldiers on military expeditions, such as the Ijaye War and campaigns against the Ekiti people.^[6] His first military title was Aare-Ago, and later rose to be the head chief of Ibadan. He was feared throughout the region of Yorubaland. His continued exploitation of Ekiti towns sparked the Kiriji War.^[6] He had over 22 sons and numerous amounts of daughters.^[7]

Latoosa's prominence and significance in Ibadan exist till this day, with his rule as Aare Ona Kakanfo featuring in the Oriki of the town of Ibadan, and he is also known as the last Aare Ona Kakanfo to fight in a war. The position was abolished under Colonial Nigeria, and was not bestowed for another 80 years until August 1964, when Samuel Ladoke Akintola was appointed as the Aare Ona Kakanfo, a clear contrast from previous Aare, including Latoosa.^[8][9]

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