Overview:

: The Old West African Frontier Force Fort at Yashikera, Kwara State in Nigeria, was established in the late 19th century by the British colonial administration. The fort is located on the banks of River Niger, about 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) from the town of Yashikera. The fort was constructed to protect British interests in the area – in particular the tin mines and slave trading operations. The fort was part of a wider military network designed to defend the empire's interests and maintain law and order in West Africa. The fort saw action on a number of occasions over the years, including in the attack led by the Stool Prince of Zaria in 1900. Today, the fort is a Public Monument of National Significance administered by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The fort is a popular tourist attraction in the region. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

The Yashikera Fort in Kwara State, Nigeria, is an old West African Frontier Force fort, located in the historic town of Yashikera in the Baruten Local Government Area of the state. It was built by colonial Britain in the late 19th century as part of its efforts to establish control over the Yoruba region of what is now Nigeria. This fort was instrumental in suppressing tribal uprisings at the start of the Nigerian civil war. It is a stone-built rectangular structure with four corner watch towers and mounted artillery guns. The fort has been partially restored and is open to visitors. Today, it serves as a museum and is one of the attractions for visitors to Kwara State. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

The history of the Old West African Frontier Force (WAFF) Fort at Yashikera in Kwara State, Nigeria dates back to the late 19th century. The WAFF was established in 1896 by the British to provide a defence against raiding parties from neighbouring territories. It was stationed in Yashikera, a village near Ilorin, the capital of the old Gwari Emirate. Yashikera borders the former Protectorate of Northern Nigeria making it an ideal position for defence against raiding parties from neighbouring territories. The WAFF was tasked with protecting the northern border of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria from external threats and maintaining internal security within the colony. The fort was initially garrisoned by a detachment of officers, native soldiers and police, led by a British officer. During its service, the WAFF defended the Nigerian territory from various invasion attempts and numerous raids by neighbouring tribal forces. As the borders shifted and the political landscape of the region changed, the WAFF garrisoned a number of other forts in Nigeria. The Yashikera fort was decommissioned in the late 1950s, but the building still stands today and the remains of the defence works, including an impressive old gun emplacement, can still be seen. The fort today is a popular tourist attraction and is regarded as a part of Nigeria’s rich colonial heritage. Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. It was the first sizeable British fort built in West Africa in the late 19th Century. 2. It was constructed to protect the borders of the British colonial empire from raiding war parties and slavers. 3. It was built almost entirely from locally sourced materials, with local artisans employed in its construction. 4. Yashikera Fort was a station for the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) and housed troops and a small administrative staff. 5. It was abandoned in 1909, but still stands today as a reminder of the nation’s colonial history. 6. In the early 1960s, the fort was converted to a prison to house political prisoners and remained in use until 1990. 7. The fort is now a national monument and is a popular tourist attraction. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era