₦airaland Forum

Raf4:
War camp kọ, battle field ni. Which war was Bini fighting that made her thought of jumping several settlements, communities, villages and towns in order to build military camp in about 300km far away??
Where are the relics of the Bini war camp and weapons/ammunition/armouries anywhere in Eko/Lagos today?

Eko is purely Yoruba word from Ereko to Eeko to Eko.

DMerciful:
If Benin kingdom were strategic, they would have held unto Lagos in a way to this day

Factcheck0001:
y is it that only Ibos care so much about lagos?

What's d obsession?

Slytiger:
Aworis occupy the land from Ogun to lagos stretching from Ado Ota to Badagy to Lekki in lagos.

Eko Akete, Lagos Island LG - Lagos State
Eko Ende, Ifelodun LG -Osun State
Ekosin, Odo Otin LG -Osun State
Eko Ajala, Ifelodun LG -Osun State
Ekotedo, Ido LG - Oyo State
Eko kan, Shaki West LG - Oyo State
Oko Eko, Ijebu East LG - Ogun State
Eko, Ife Ana, Togo
Ade Eko, Iseyin LGA - Oyo State
Eko Efun, Olukumi land Aniocha North, Delta state

The ancestral Aworis and Obas in lagos below

omoredia:
When we weigh the historical evidence (oral tradition + documented history + linguistics), the Benin/Edo origin of “Eko” as a “war camp” is considered stronger than the Awori/Yoruba “camp/settlement” version.

Here’s why:


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1. Early Control of Lagos (15th–16th century)

Historical records show that the Benin Kingdom expanded westward during the reign of Oba Orhogbua (mid-1500s).

Benin warriors established a military outpost on Lagos Island to control trade routes and collect tribute.

The Oba of Benin appointed a military administrator (called an “Eletu Odibo”) to govern the area.

This aligns with the interpretation of Eko as a “war camp” in Edo.



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2. Oral History & Naming

Lagos oral tradition (especially from Benin sources) consistently states that the Oba of Benin named the settlement Eko when it became a military camp.

The Yoruba Awori were already living there, but the name “Eko” was imposed through conquest and administration, making it a political name, not just a descriptive one.



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3. Linguistic Strength

In Edo (Bini), Eko indeed directly translates to “camp” or “encampment,” often military in sense.

In Yoruba, ẹ̀kọ́ has meanings like to gather, to learn, or to be trained (also the word for pap/fermented maize meal). But the usage of Eko to mean “settlement” is less direct and less common.

This makes the Edo origin linguistically tighter.



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4. European Accounts

Early Portuguese records from the 15th–16th centuries confirm that the Benin Kingdom was administering Lagos (Eko) before colonial Lagos emerged.

They describe Lagos Island as a tributary state of Benin, not Awori, in terms of political control.



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Conclusion

✅ The Benin (Edo) origin of Eko as “war camp” is better supported by historical, political, and linguistic evidence.
⚖️ The Awori/Yoruba origin reflects the fact that they were the indigenous settlers, but their explanation of Eko as “settlement” is more cultural than historical.

So, historically: “Eko” = war camp (Benin Edo origin).
Culturally: Yoruba still claim it as “our settlement.”.

So anybody that is not Benin and to a lesser extent Awori has no historical or cultural claim to Lagos.

Softmirror:
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Try again. Lol . 😁😁

omoredia:
Having a deep understanding of Lagos's history, I recall the characteristics of true Lagosians from my childhood. They were known for their education, sophistication, and civility. Visiting a typical Lagosian household provided valuable lessons in etiquette. Children from affluent families attended institutions like Kings College and St. Gregory's, while others went to schools such as CMS. Being a Lagosian meant embodying refined behavior, speech, and appearance. True Lagosians were not involved in thuggery; instead, they enjoyed social gatherings with like-minded individuals and expatriates, treating everyone with respect regardless of their social standing. I remember accompanying friends to the Ikoyi Club or Lagos Country Club in Ikeja, observing Lagosians interacting, which created an atmosphere reminiscent of London.

Softmirror:
How many times is this particular comment being repeated like an anthem on Nairaland?! Lol 😂.

omoredia:
here’s a list of Lagos areas whose names show Edo/Benin influence, mostly from the prefix “Idun/Idumu” (meaning “quarter/settlement” in Edo):

Lagos Island & Environs

1. Idumota – “Idumu Ota” (Ota’s quarter).


2. Idumagbo – “Idumu Agbo” (Agbo’s quarter).


3. Idumagbon – “Idumu Agbon” (Agbon’s quarter).


4. Idumadan – “Idumu Adan” (Adan’s quarter).


5. Idunsagbe / Idunsagbe market (old records).


6. Idunsare – settlement named after a leader/family.



Others

Idumota Market (famous Lagos market) keeps the Benin-rooted name.

Idumagbo Avenue still carries that Edo heritage.

Many smaller streets on Lagos Island begin with “Idun/Idumu.”


Why this happened

In the 15th–16th centuries, Eko (Lagos Island) was a settlement under the control of the Oba of Benin.

When the Benin Empire stationed warriors, traders, and administrators in Eko, they organized the island into quarters (idumu), naming them after people, families, or guilds.

Over time, even as Yoruba became the dominant language in Lagos, the Edo naming pattern remained in place.


👉 That’s why today you see many “Idum–” names in central Lagos, especially around markets and old quarters, reflecting Benin heritage woven into Lagos identity.

Ttalk:
Theres no need arguing with you. Every true Lagosian study GNS where the history of Lagos is taught.

Carry your nonsense talk elsewhere and stop chewing Lagos for mouth as if it will belleful you

omoredia:
If the truth is not said the people will believe lies

aswani:
You might mean well but there is a lot of fallacy in this your post.

Whilst Benin and Yoruba people are neighbours that I am not sure ever fought each other, I don't think they were ever one and the same.

If you do have a link to what you posted, I will be interested though.

omoredia:
U cant fight with facts

Ttalk:
Theres no need arguing with you. Every true Lagosian study GNS where the history of Lagos is taught.

Carry your nonsense talk elsewhere and stop chewing Lagos for mouth as if it will belleful you

omoredia:
here’s a list of Lagos areas whose names show Edo/Benin influence, mostly from the prefix “Idun/Idumu” (meaning “quarter/settlement” in Edo):

Lagos Island & Environs

1. Idumota – “Idumu Ota” (Ota’s quarter).


2. Idumagbo – “Idumu Agbo” (Agbo’s quarter).


3. Idumagbon – “Idumu Agbon” (Agbon’s quarter).


4. Idumadan – “Idumu Adan” (Adan’s quarter).


5. Idunsagbe / Idunsagbe market (old records).


6. Idunsare – settlement named after a leader/family.



Others

Idumota Market (famous Lagos market) keeps the Benin-rooted name.

Idumagbo Avenue still carries that Edo heritage.

Many smaller streets on Lagos Island begin with “Idun/Idumu.”


Why this happened

In the 15th–16th centuries, Eko (Lagos Island) was a settlement under the control of the Oba of Benin.

When the Benin Empire stationed warriors, traders, and administrators in Eko, they organized the island into quarters (idumu), naming them after people, families, or guilds.

Over time, even as Yoruba became the dominant language in Lagos, the Edo naming pattern remained in place.


👉 That’s why today you see many “Idum–” names in central Lagos, especially around markets and old quarters, reflecting Benin heritage woven into Lagos identity.

Softmirror:
The concept of Idum is not different to Sabo. It is used to refer to settlement of migrants.

omoredia:
What about Oshodi? History is there and cannot be changed. Benin owns the land. Lets not be deceived by politics

omoredia:
What about Oshodi? History is there and cannot be changed. Benin owns the land. Lets not be deceived by politics

Softmirror:
The concept of Idum is not different to Sabo. It is used to refer to settlement of migrants.

Slytiger:
Osodi.

Etymology and breakdown.

Odi

Oṣòdì

This palace officer, in some Yoruba areas, is known as ‘Òdì-oba’. In other Yoruba areas, he is called ‘Ọ̀gbẹ́ni-òdì’. In some, ‘Olósì’. Etc.

He’s an aide of the Ọba, but yet he wields some considerable power.

As for its literal meaning, the term ‘òdì’/‘òsì’. As such, the word-anatomy of the term ‘Oṣòdì’:=“o ṣe òdì”=“o ṣòdì”.

He is the “one who serves as the [king’s] alter-ego”.

A certain Landuji of Nupe ancestry seems to be an outstanding Oṣòdì at Èkó, and in all Yorubaland.

He was Ọba Kosọkọ’s Oshodi & he remained loyal to him till the end.

The Bini lexicon from the 1930s also attests to the Yoruba origin of ‘Oshodi’.

See screenshot below. It says "of Yoruba Origin".

Brenbentondiaz:
I'm just curious to know why some Bini people bear distinctly Yoruba names, while you don't see Yoruba people bearing Bini names.