Thread by @SienceTalk

CAPTURE OF SOKOTO: “
As no reply had been received to the letter which had been sent..to Sokoto (saying that we had no desire to fight and inviting him to come to terms), a 2nd was sent in the same sense & to this an evasive answer was received. @CitizenPeper @EmekaOkoye

The force then advanced to Shagali &..effected a junction w/ Capt Merrick troop (abt 200),who had been in occupation in Argungu for several mths, acting 1st as escort to French convoys traversing the British sphere under intl arrangement & later as escort to Boundary Commission

Thus reinforced, the column, numbering 656 rank & file, 1,100 carriers & 25 officers, 2 guns and 4 maxims, advanced on Sokoto,where contrary to expectation, were opposed by a force estimated at 1.500 horse & 3,000 foot.

The Sokoto army contained many fanatics who charged our square in ones & twos & courted certain death but except for these the resistance shown was feeble & the whole army was soon in full flight, pursued by our mounted infantry Their loss was estimated @ 70 killed & 200 wounded

Our casualties consisted of 1carrier killed & 1 wounded The troops now marched on Wurno.. but found it deserted & camped near the walls of Sokoto.On.. 19th March I arrived.. precisely same moment Sokoto Waziri & 2 or 3 other chiefs with a large following came & surrendered.

They were allowed to return..on giving up their firearms &..to retain their horses & their swords Next day I summoned leading councillors to 'Sultan's house & told them I considered it of importance either to find & reinstate the fugitive Sultan or appoint a successor @ once

I invited them to..know whether the Sultan w’d return & if not whom they w’d desire to appoint After private consultation they named Atahiru..He now came in to pay his salutations..

No mention was made of..the fugitive Sultan & in reply to my questions, all concurred in saying that no one had any notion whither he had fled So far as I could judge no one… care, including the brother who had made him Sultan who was one of those present..

As at Kano so again..I considered we were fortunate in the nominee of the chiefs for Atahiru was a man whose face & manner greatly prepossessed me in his favour… I agreed to appoint him Sultan & I fixed the next morning to explain to them the future regime….
@cchukudebelu

Next day elders (led)..by pathetic figure of blind old Waziri (came).. & a paper..setting forth conditions of the future was carefully translated word by word by a very good interpreter checked by Maj. Burdon (holder of Hausa scholarship) whom I had appointed Resident of Sokoto

“..I explained..my point of view regarding the treaties & I showed them original letter from late Sultan declaring war which in consequence, I had no option but to accept with results which they now realised I appointed the next 7day (22nd) for installation of Sultan

#LestWeForgetNigeria

COLONIAL REPORTS ANNUAL: No.409. #NORTHERNNIGERIA REPORT FOR 1902.
ICYMI @GbenroAdegbola @AbdulMahmud01 #Nigeria #Sokoto

“CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION”
troops were drawn up..& ceremony marked by extraordinary.. satisfaction from assembled masses when I announced complete freedom of religion..The ceremony was completed by bestowal of a gown & turban Hitherto Sultan received no present on installation.

..on the contrary his custom to present insignia to vassal emirs as token of his suzerainty.The fact..it was intimated to me the ceremony w’d be incomplete w/out this present was remarkable/spontaneous acknowledgment before his people he accepted British as his future suzerains