Generations came and went, and the original 8 wielders passed away, leaving their descendants to inherit their legacies.
By around 1600 AD, the Idoma kingdom had reached its zenith, approximately 400 years after the emergence of the first wielders and the fall of the Attah dynasty.
Each of the bloodlines had become extremely powerful in Idoma land, particularly the Igoche and Ofu bloodlines. Many descendants of Igoche rose to prominence as top military officials, including the illustrious Agaba.
As the heir to the Igoche power, Agaba was next in line to become the head of the clan. Born to Eponu, the general of the Idoma military, Agaba was the third child of his father. Eponu's first three children all rose through the ranks to become elite soldiers, with Agaba achieving this distinction at the remarkable age of 19 - the youngest in the history of the Idoma kingdom.
As captain, Agaba was entrusted with 1000 men under his leadership. Within the military hierarchy, seven chief commanders reported directly to the General, with each overseeing 3 to 15 captain's unit (I.e. 3000 to 15000 soldiers). immediately above the chief commanders are the deputy generals, who answered only to the General, the council of Elders, and the Ochi'doma.
At the height of the Idoma kingdom's power, approximately 10,000 active warriors were stationed along the borders and scattered throughout Idoma settlements, Additionally , there were around 20,000 reserve personnel, making the military population the largest it had ever been. With the kingdom enjoying a prolonged period of peace, recruitment rates soared, as many Idomas joined the military for financial gain, having grown accustomed to a life without war.
Most soldiers served as border guards, while the descendants of Edikwu constructed 10 meters high around the entire land and 30 meters high around the capital city.
Agaba, from a young age, nurtured a burning ambition to expand the Idoma kingdom's power and influence to the farthest reaches of the Earth, Disillusioned with the isolated life, he repeatedly questioned his father about the kingdom's reluctance to invade other lands.
Despite being presented with reasons for this stance, Agaba's resolve remained unwavering. Initially, his intention was to invade other lands without causing serious harm, instead seeking to help other people.
He believed the Ochi'doma was selfish in not utilizing the kingdom's abilities to assist other tribes. As Agaba matured, his plans became increasingly sinister and bloodthirsty. His rise through the ranks was accompanied by growing pride.
Agaba trained his troops to be the most formidable among all Idoma soldiers.
At the annual military competition, his soldiers excelled in all tests, earning him his father's respect and piquing the Ochi'doma's interest in him.
Agaba was offered an additional 1000 men, but he declined, stating that he was satisfied with his current troops.
Unbeknownst to his father, Gen. Eponu, Agaba began to secretly spread his ideology among his soldiers, convincing them to join his movement.
"my brothers, today I stand before you with a decision that will shape the fate of our kingdom. I was offered additional men to add to our ranks, but I declined. Why? Because I believe in each and every one of you. I believe that together, we possess the strength, the courage, and the unwavering dedication required to forge a new destiny for our nation.
We have with us the descendants of the eight wielders, the legendary heroes who forged our nation with their blood, sweat and tears, they brought us out from slavery into the light of freedom. But what have we done with this legacy? Have we honored their memory?, we have such powers with us and we did not use it to spread freedom to the rest of mankind, we did not bring prosperity to mankind. Outside the wall, are humans like us suffering, plagues and pestilence are endangering humanity outside the walls. For too long, we have remained stagnant, content to guard our borders and maintain the status quo. But I ask you, my friends, is this the future we desire for mankind? I said to you, no! We must forge a new path, one that will bring glory, prosperity, and strength to our kingdom and the rest of humanity. We will spread our powers, the powers of the Idoma people to the far end of the Earth. And we must start now! Who among you will stand with me? Who among you will join me on this noble quest? Let us march forth together, my brothers, and claim the future that is rightfully ours"
As his followers grew in number, Agaba submitted a request to the military council to assign his team to guard the northeast border. The request was promptly approved.
The northeast border, characterized by vast plains of grasslands dotted with scattered thick iroko trees, became a covert gathering point for Agaba's loyalists.
Within a month, he successfully cleared the area of rebels from Tiv land. During five clandestine meetings, approximately 18000 people attended, with 30% being non-military citizens. They collectively agreed to initiate the invasion.
A week later, Agaba led 200 men in a raid, burning down several Tiv villages. The military council, upon learning of the incident, promptly summoned Agaba and ordered him to withdraw his men. Agaba reluctantly complied, but the incident only fueled his anger and determination. His plot began to take a darker, more sinister turn.
Agaba attempted to persuade the military chiefs to join his cause, but only two agreed to support his plot. Agaba devised a ruthless plan to eliminate all obstacles in his path, including anyone more powerful than him.
His followers began clandestine operations, starting with the assassination of the remaining 3 chief commanders. News of their deaths spread rapidly, and the military mistakenly attributed the attacks to an inside job by the Tivs.
Seeking to maintain their isolation, the military launched a hunt for the killers among the Idoma people, misinterpreting the true nature of the threat.
Two weeks later, the spirtual head of the Idoma people was brutally murdered, his family kidnapped, and the temple plundered.
The soldiers responded by increasing security around top officials, realizing that the terrorists were selectively targeting high-profile individuals.
This escalation of violence sparked widespread panic among ordinary citizens, who felt vulnerable and exposed to the attacks.
Five days after the spiritual head's murder, the two deputy generals were assassinated in their homes.
Intense fighting erupted around their complexes, resulting in the death of 12 soldiers and injuring 10 others. Survivors testified that the killers were skilled Idoma soldiers, none of whom sustained injuries during the attacks. The assailants left messages warning the government and vowing to avenge the Tivs' deaths.
This development heightened suspicion among the military and the populace, with many calling for immediate action to dismantle the perceived Tiv threat.
However, General Eponu refused to act hastily, suggesting that the attackers' ability to converse in Idoma implied they might be embedded among the Idomas, seeking to instigate a war between the Idomas and the Tivs.
Eponu vowed to conclude his investigation before taking action. The general's cautious approach infuriated the public, with many labeling him a weak and fearful leader.
In contrast, his son Agaba gained popularity, with some calling for Eponu's expulsion and Agaba's ascension to power. The public was deeply divided. Tragedy had also struck General Eponu's family, as his two first sons were among those killed in the earlier attack that claimed the lives of the three chiefs.
This personal loss led some to question whether Eponu was truly committed to justice, given his perceived lack of emotional response to his sons' deaths.