Since we were debating language this morning - who knows a Moloney Hill in Keffi, Nassarawa state and do you want to hear a story about how it changed colonial language policy in Nigeria?
Ok, the place is here (hotels.ng/places/nature/…). Named after Captain C. W Moloney, the British Resident officer in Keffi.
One fine day in October 1902, Moloney went to see the Magaji of Keffi, Ibrahim dan Abd Allahi, to try to settle some disturbances going on in that town. Moloney went with his assistant (chap named Webster) and his interpreter known as Audu Timtim
He got there and sent Webster to ask the Magaji to come for a meeting in the square not far from the Magaji's house. As soon as Webster entered Abd Allahi's house, his guards beat the living daylights out of him. He managed to escape and ran back to tell Moloney
Moloney then told Webster to go and summon backup while he and Audu Timtim waited there. In the meantime, Audu was speaking to the locals and then discovered what had been going on
Apparently some native officials had been blackmailing the locals and taking their women into slavery claiming that Moloney had demanded them. For some reason, Audu interpreted something different to Moloney
Now back up a bit - earlier that year, Lugard had asked all officers to indicate if they wanted to take a Hausa language course. They all said no. Moloney asked for more details and when he saw what the test looked like, he refused to take it (Ajami script was very uncommon then)
Back to Keffi. In the confusion, Abd Allahi panicked. He knew he was going to be arrested and deposed so he got his boys and they descended on Moloney and Audu and beat them to death.
Moloney was buried on what is now known as Moloney Hill. Lugard was so pissed that he brought in a new rule - all political officers had to pass a Hausa language exam in their 2nd year and a much harder one by their 3rd year. No pass, no promotion
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