Civil War: Onitsha Throne ascension and Igala Interference

“The old King of Onitsha died some time in March, 1872. Not long after, a pretender to the throne arose to oppose the rightful prince, who was to succeed his father as soon as the funeral customs were over. The pretender was a descendant of a former king, whose line had long ceased to reign at Onitsha. The pretender had a female relative who was married to a man of the King’s family at Idda, in Igara country; she had a son who was grown wealthy by trading.

This female relative encouraged the pretender to assert his claim to the throne of Onitsha, and said her som from Idda would support him to obtain it. Not long after, the son came from Idda with a strong force to strengthen the pretender at Onitsha. Both united. They commenced threats against the rightful prince, and disputes his right to the throne of Onitsha; that it was then their turn to reign. They commenced firing shots at, and setting fire to, the houses of the party of the rightful prince.

In the meantime, he had also collected his party. On the third day they sallied upon the parties of the pretender, and his supporters, the Igaras, were driven down to the river’s bank, with many killed and wounded; the dead being cut to pieces by the limbs..

The pretender and his Igara party had to flee to neighboring towns and villages for refuge. The son of the female relative from Idda was mortally wounded, and died a few days later.”

— Samuel Ajayi Crowther [1872]