The Owiwi War was a civil war between the Ijebus, Egbado and Egba people. Ibadan became an ally of the Ijebu, which led to Ibadan taking part in the war. The Egba people emerged as a formidable force in Abeokuta, which did not go unchallenged by the other Yoruba groups as they became rivals in all commercial activities.
This reignited conflict between the newly settled Egba people and the Ijebu, as the Egba traders were now seen as major competitors in the Ijebu and Ibadan trade. To counter the growing power of the Egba people, the ijebu joined forces with the Ibadan and made Egbado a base from which they could launch an attack against the Egba people.
This was to mean the complete annihilation of the Egba people. Meanwhile, some Egbado groups have chosen not to unite against Egba, which has led to internal conflict. The Egbado group, which did not unite against Egba consisted of Ilewo, Ibara Ishaga, Adele and Bobani and gathered their forces to help the Egbas of Badgry.
Troops marched towards Ado but he was refused passage.The attitude of these communities towards Adèle’s forces eventually led to a war known as Adèle’s War. The force camped at Koboro near the Owiwi River to attack the Sodeke of Egbas and his army ambushed the unit and destroyed it.
The survivors of the ambush flee, but the Egba, led by the Sodeke, give chase. It was at this point that it was revealed to the Egba that one Egbado had played an important role in the attack against them.. In the Egba army moved to Egbado. After Egba was freed from invaders, Egba turned his attention to the city of Egbado, which supported or participated in the war. An Egba army led by Balogun Bada of Kemta Apati attacked Ilaro where many people were killed and the displaced fled to Ijanna while the king and his family fled to Ifoyin. The Egba forces continued to pursue the fleeing Egbado and, realizing the strength of the Egba warriors, led to the invasion of Ijanna. Akere, the warlord of Ijanna, led the fleeing refugees Ijanna and Ilaro to Reuref.
Some residents of Ijanna settled in Refurefu while others fled to Ifoyin, where Olu Ilaro fled, forcing him to flee back to the town of Itoro in his hometown.The Egba warriors led by Sodeke learned that the Olu had fled to Itoro, so they invaded the village, overtook him and killed him.
In 1834, Ibadan regrouped to launch another attack on Egba, commemorating the Arakanga war.
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