Why were Dahomey’s attacks on Abeokuta defeated?

The Dahomean attacks on Abeokuta in 1851 and 1864 were decisively defeated due to the defensive capabilities of the Egba people, who had established their town as a "Refuge Among Rocks".12

In the 1851 battle, the Egba successfully repelled the army of King Gezo by utilizing support from missionaries and weaponry provided by the British. The town's strategic location, situated around rocky outcroppings that provided a natural defensive advantage, also contributed to its ability to withstand Dahomean expansion efforts.2