<35>

In 1906 systematic attempts to bring the country under administrative control commenced in the northern and southern parts of the wider Muri Mountains region.

<36>

A major force consisting of more than 200 soldiers and several officers led by the Resident of Bauchi, Oliver Howard, covered for the first time the country of the Waja, Tangale, Tula and part of Longuda from April to July in 1906.  [29]
Besides the general goal of bringing a further area under control, Howard gave two reasons for the patrol in his report: 1) that there was a large Fulani colony in Waja district, which had become "[…] a rallying ground for disaffected Filani, not only of Gombe but also of Bauchi […]"; 2) that Waja had made attempts to prevent other districts from paying tribute. With the first reason Howard alluded to the fears of Mahdist-inspired uprisings prevalent throughout Northern Nigeria and Niger at that time. Just a month before, in March 1906, the bloody crushing of the Mahdist rebellion at Satiru near Sokoto had taken place (cf. Lovejoy & Hogendorn 1990, Dusgate 1985: p. 242–249). In Gombe Division, Mallam Ali was starting to preach at Bima hill in spring 1906, when he was captured. He had received promises of support from Fulani of Gombe and Bauchi. It was believed that he was a forerunner to a preacher of greater importance and that there was a connection to the incidents at Satiru. There immediately followed a Mallam El Haji Malle, who had served under Mallam Jibril Gaini. Mallam El Haji Malle was pursued by a military detachment and finally arrested at Yola.  [30]

<37>

However, nowhere later in his report does Howard come back to any findings in respect to this alleged Fulani colony nor did he offer convincing evidence for the non-payment of tribute by the Waja.

<38>

The force under the command of Colonel Barlow consisted of 110 rank and file under Captain Digan and Colour Sergeant Parklin, another 100 rank and file under Captain Short and Lieutenant Shott, and an unspecified number of men under Captain Mackworth and Sergeant Harry, as well as the medical officer Dr. Thorp-White.

<39>

They were accompanied by several title holders from Gombe Emirate, namely: Dan Sarkin Yaki Kunde, Maina Osman (brother of the Emir of Gombe), Jalu Yerima Gombe, Tukkur Sarkin Yaki, Dam Buram and Maina Musa. The towns and villages visited were asked to surrender and pay tribute.

<40>

The column under Colonel Barlow left Gwani at Bima hill on July 3^rd, 1906, and marched via Deba Habe to the Jarawa town of Jagali, and further to the Waja settlement of Gelengu on 5^th July, where they learned that the Waja of Reme were ready to defend themselves. The next day they continued to Reme and Degri. On the hill of Degri, where people from Gelengu and Reme had fled, a skirmish ensued in which 20 Waja were killed. The fleeing Waja were chased into Degri where they were attacked by Captain Mackworth with a Maxim and gunfire, killing 25 of them. While on 7^th July at Degri sheep and cattle were seized, the houses burned and the ripening corn in the surrounding area was destroyed, a part of the force returned to Reme and there continued to burn huts and destroy crops, which led to the outbreak of another fight. The captured food was brought back to the troops remaining at Gelengu, and during the march 11 further Waja were killed.

<41>

On 8^th July Captain Short was left at Reme to proceed with the burning of houses. The remaining force went to Balanga to capture cattle allegedly belonging to Fulani and punish the town. Balanga was attacked and partly burnt down on the grounds that a significant number of the cattle had been concealed there. 80 head of cattle were confiscated.

<42>

On 9^th July the column marched first to Dong and then on to Dala Waja, both towns surrendered without resistance. At Bangu, about seven miles away from Reme, the column camped. 400 head of cattle were seized at Bangu. Bangu too surrendered, expressing their concern about constant raids by the Longuda. Thus Colonel Barlow continued to Longuda country and Guyuk, the most important Longuda town, to convey the message. On 11^th July a force of 60 rank and file under Sergeant Parklin and carrying a Maxim gun left Bangu for Longuda country, followed on the next day by Captain Short, also with a Maxim gun. Heavy rain allowed only slow progress. After seven miles the column had to stop at a swollen river; on the other bank were some people whose behaviour was described as "[…] hostile and at the same time very insolent." Very early the next morning Lieutenant Shott crossed the river and surprised these people, killing three of them. Passing through Wala the force went on to Guyuk, where they arrived at 2.30pm and surprised the Longuda, some of whom tried to defend their town. Fighting ensued in which some 20 Longuda were killed. On 13^th July the town was burnt and about 300 sheep taken away. The next day the force returned to Bangu. Here all Waja chiefs submitted. In total, livestock worth £1,400 was taken in the Waja and Longuda areas and some of it was given to the Emir of Gombe under whose control the Waja district had nominally been. Jalu Yerima Gombe eagerly helped with the collection of the tribute. The Fulani title holders Dan Sarkin Yaki Kunde and Maina Osman were left to bring in the tributes from Reme and Degri.

<43>

The patrol then marched on 15^th July via Jagali, Deba Habe and Kalshingi to Tangaltong in Tangale country where they arrived on 18^th July. The people of Tangaltong complained about being harassed and raided by Shongom. Howard obviously considered Shongom as a most truculent section and was willing to break them. On 19^th July, Shongom was visited and the Shongom people, who had collected in a gap on the hills and greeted the patrol with yells, were shelled by Colonel Barlow. Then Shongom town was attacked: the force advanced and opened fire with the Maxim gun doing ”considerable execution”. The company of Captain Digan entered a hill village, burning a part of it and killing several Tangale in the fight. Captain Short and Lieutenant Shott climbed the hill to the right of Captain Digan and shot every Tangale who tried to oppose them. Having crossed the hills, various villages in the valley were set on fire: ”After doing as much damage as possible these troops returned to camp at dusk .”  [31] At 5.30pm the Tangale tried an attack on the camp, but suffered many casualties from Maxim gunfire from the camp and the returning Captain Short who added to the fire, leaving about 70 Tangale dead.

<44>

On 20^th July the destruction of Shongom was continued to the south and south-west. Captain Short attacked a large village with the result of 22 casualties among the inhabitants. Shongom was totally destroyed and the crops burnt. Then Kaltungo and Ture came in and had to pay a fine in sheep and ivory.

<45>

On 22^nd July the patrol marched through Ture, which offered no resistance, and on to Tula Wange, reaching a plateau about 1,200 yards from the town at 3.30pm. Tula Wange was shelled and a hamlet set on fire. Some men from Tula Wange came in with a sheep to surrender and thus the firing was stopped. When Howard decided to take the chief and his son to Bauchi, the chief’s son tried to attack Captain Short with a knife and was shot. On 23^rd July the Maxim gun was fired twice at the town and the elders of Tula Wange were warned not to attack their neighbours.

The force then went back to Kaltungo and on 24^th July to Tangaltong from where the different companies returned to their garrisons.

<46>

In the light of their past experiences with emirate forces it is quite understandable that the reactions of the local groups to the demands of the new administration were, at least, hesitant. It is reported that, unaware of the British military superiority and with the confidence of past victories, the chief of Shongom had sent a calabash full of beniseed to Bauchi with the words "Tell the whiteman to count the seed, tell him that numerous as the seeds are, we outnumber them, and tell him that when he has killed everyone of us he may, then, enter our country."  [32] To these groups it must have looked like another attempt by the Fulani to conquer them, especially as the expedition was accompanied by emirate titleholders. And the Fulani titleholders now probably saw their chance to regain lost ground. The response from Howard’s force was swift and violent. The Waja, Longuda and Shongom Tangale were engaged in fights and skirmishes, which left more than 200 of them dead. Villages were destroyed and crops were burnt, cattle and other livestock worth £1,400 were confiscated and some of it given to the Emir of Gombe. This high amount bears more resemblance to indiscriminate looting than collecting of a tribute, especially as it had not been preceded by any assessment.  [33] Tragically it became known only later, that the Waja had already paid their cattle tax (jangali) to Yola.

<47>

Although the violent action that caused so many casualties, as well as the involvement of Fulani were heavily criticised by the Resident of Yola and by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Earl of Elgin, eventually the action was approved as appropriate by the authorities.  [34]

<48>

At about the same time, from April to July 1906, on the southern fringes of the Muri Mountains, the Tsobo (Pire), as well as the Libo, were visited by a patrol led by Dr. Temple, consisting of about 50 rank and file with a British NCO and a Maxim gun, for constantly raiding neighbouring groups. The patrol destroyed Gumshi, a large Tsobo settlement, and about 50 people were killed. On their way back the force then visited Libo. Here Temple met opposition, therefore the town was destroyed and about nine Libo killed. Cynically enough, all this happened during a time when the country was ravaged by famine, and it was estimated that 50 percent of the Gongola valley population had died of starvation.  [35]

<49>

There was a patrol around October 1906, led by Mr. Waters, to secure the trade road - which was disturbed by frequent attacks - from Gateri to Lau and to arrest the murderers of the chief of Bambur.  [36]

<50>

At the end of 1906, the areas of the Waja, Tangale and Tula and settlements so far not visited by Resident Howard were covered by another patrol, again accompanied by Fulani titleholders, and once again with a devastating result: Tula Yiri and Tula Wange were destroyed, livestock confiscated and at least 55 Tula killed.  [37]

<51>

On 10^th December 1906, the Assistant Resident of Gombe Hastings, Captain Utterson (Commanding Officer Bima at that time), Colour Sergeant Austin with 70 rank and file and a Maxim gun, accompanied by Galadima Ako and Sarkin Yaki Kunde left Gwani and marched via Deba Habe and Jagali to Bangu in Waja district, where they arrived on 13^th December. Here they remained until 15^th December looking for cattle but without success. All inhabitants had left in fear. Sarkin Yaki Kunde was sent out to collect the Waja chiefs. The chiefs of Gelengu, Balanga, Dala Waja, Dong, Talasse, Degri and Swa came but with less tribute than expected (cloth worth £50). After collecting more tribute, the patrol continued to Reme via Dong. Again the tribute collected here was considered too low and Sarkin Yaki Kunde was asked to produce more. The patrol left Reme on 17^th December to Tula Yiri on an unexplored road. Tula Yiri was visited for the first time. As they approached Tula Yiri they were told by the inhabitants not to come closer, and so they made camp. In the morning of 18^th December it was reported that a force of 1,000–2,000 badly armed men from Tula Yiri and Tula Wange were advancing towards the camp. When they came close, Maxim gun fire was opened on them from a distance of 200 yards. When the Maxim jammed, rapid rifle fire commenced, forcing the Tula to retreat to the hills. The Tula warriors were pursued for about four to six miles, then their town Tula Yiri was burnt and 75 dwarf cattle seized. On inspection 20 Tula were found dead, 30–40 wounded, and there was one soldier wounded on the British side. When on the next day a party from Tula Wange came in to negotiate, they were asked to produce 1,000 goats as a fine. On 20^th December the patrol continued to Tula Wange, whose inhabitants were estimated at about 7,000. The headman promised to send the taxes to the camp which was pitched 2½ miles east of Ture Chamba. When only 10 goats were produced, a warning was given to Tula Wange. The following day 40 goats were brought and some cloth. Considering this still too little, Assistant Resident Hastings requested Captain Utterson to attack Tula Wange. Thus on 22^nd December a night assault was started, attacking the town by surprise at daybreak. The town and the chief’s house were burnt and 35 Tula were killed in the fighting. Tula Panda then brought in their tax. From Ture only little tax was taken due to the harassment they had experienced by Tula Wange. On 23^rd December the patrol proceeded to Kaltungo where their tax, and that from Shongom, was collected. On 25^th December they continued to Kamo and Awak. Here a tax equivalent of £10 from Awak and £6 from Kamo was taken. On 26^th December they marched to Panda, on 27^th to Deba Habe and back to Gwani on 28^th December 1906.

<52>

The following year the Tangale-Waja area was again visited during October and November by a patrol to investigate a local conflict between Awak and Ture. There was a clash which left five Awak dead. Assistant Resident Holme proposed that Awak "[…] should be thoroughly broken and to do so I think nothing less that [sic] half a company of soldiers and a maxim will suffice."  [38]

<53>

A force of 25 rank and file under the command of Lieutenant Stamer Gubbins joined Assistant Resident Holme at Gombe on 13^th October 1907. They marched to Pindiga where they arrived on 19^th October. Two days later they left Pindiga and camped 15 miles away near Tangale farms. On 22^nd they visited Tangale, on 23^rd Ture and continued on 25^th to Awak, situated about five miles to the north-east of Ture residency.

<54>

The Ture chief had reported to Mr. Holme at Gombe in August that the Awak had made three raids on Ture farms killing 27 men since the middle of the year. Ture had constantly been harassed by Awak raids.

<55>

The patrol was accompanied by men from Pindiga, Tangale and Deba Habe. As no messenger could be found they climbed the hill by a south-eastern road. 200 yards from the first village they met about 50 warriors. When these refused to disperse, two volleys were fired killing five Awak men and wounding two. The warriors were pursued and the inhabitants were driven out of their villages. When the patrol had left the last village, they were approached by some elders, among them the chief of Awak. These surrendered and said that the young men had acted against their will. The chief was then told to bring food and wood down to the valley. About 20 men came bringing small goats and guinea corn. They were told to bring in all their arms. As a result some more corn was brought but no arms. The Awak messengers were accordingly sent back and again told to bring their arms. About six men came and brought the message that the chief would not come down. Holme told them to bring all their arms to Ture the next morning. As they did not do this, Assistant Resident Holme and Lieutenant Gubbins both proposed and reported the necessity to subdue Awak with the help of 60 soldiers and a Maxim gun.

<56>

On 28^th October the patrol proceeded to Tula Panda. They wanted to stop at Tula Wange but as the Tula had blocked the road, the road was re-opened and they marched through the town. On 30^th October they went to Balanga, and during the next days the Waja towns of Gelengu, Wala, Dala Waja, Dong and Reme were visited. They returned on 12^th November to Deba Habe and were back at Nafada via Gwani on 22^nd November 1907.

<57>

Some months earlier the compound of a Waja chief had been burnt by Lieutenant G. F. Phillips for not obeying his summons. Ironically, that harsh action was disapproved by Resident Howard. Later Lieutenant Phillips died in an accident while trying to climb the Tangale peak.  [39]

<58>

In October 1908 Wurkun District of Muri Province was declared an unsettled district, mainly to close the area from the activities of missionaries and mineral prospectors.  [40]

<59>

In the first quarter of 1909, a patrol under the command of Lieutenant Stamar Gubbins and led by Assistant Resident Carlyle toured Tangale-Waja in order to collect tax and investigate the killing of five Hausa traders. At two Tangale villages skirmishes ensued, resulting in 10 Tangale being killed.  [41]

<60>

The force, consisting of Lieutenant Gubbins, one Sergeant and 27 rank and file left Nafada on 10^th February 1909 meeting Assistant Resident of Gombe T. F. Carlyle at Deba Habe, a Tera village 63 miles south of Nafada. On 16^th February they marched from Deba Habe via Panda and Awak to Ture. They stayed at Ture for two days to arrange for the collection of tax and to place a marble tombstone at the grave of Lieutenant Phillips who had met his death in April 1907 when attempting to climb the Tangale Peak.  [42]

<61>

Then they visited Kaltungo from 21^st to 24^th February in order to collect tax. It was reported that some villages had killed and eaten five Hausa traders whom they had entertained for some weeks previously. These villages refused to pay taxes. Although Lieutenant Gubbins wanted to use force, Carlyle refused. Carlyle took 12 men and a Sergeant and collected some goats. They fired a shot to prevent the Tangale, armed with bows and arrows, lining the hill-tops from surrounding them. In a sacred ritual grove several skulls and human remains were found and this was unfortunately taken as evidence of murder.  [43]

<62>

On 24^th February the patrol proceeded to Shongom where the people readily brought in their tax. Then they proceeded to Tangale country where they stayed until 6^th March. The Tangale were considered to be friendly but disinclined to pay tax. On 3^rd March the patrol visited the village of Larika whose inhabitants refused to pay tax or come in, saying they were tired of taxes and the white men. Carlyle gave the inhabitants two hours to bring in the tax and then started to distrain for tax. When the men of Larika surrounded the patrol, the soldiers fired some shots, but as this did not disperse the gathering, 94 rounds were fired, killing 10 of the Tangale. The next day the people of Larika paid their tax. On 7^th March the force returned to Ture via Awak and Kamo where taxes were collected. From 9^th to 14^th March they visited Tula country and met no resistance. From 16^th to 26^th March the patrol toured Waja country, where they were also well received. On 1^st April they were back at Nafada.

<63>

A combined patrol of forces from Gombe and Muri, with officers from both provinces, toured the Muri Mountains proper in May and June 1909.  [44] They went along the northern edge, then crossed the hills to the south and returned along its southern edge. Several places in that mountain refuge were visited for the first time. At Gomu a violent conflict arose which resulted in about 30 Gomu being killed. The Gomu warriors were defeated at the same place where they had beaten the Fulani forces years before.  [45]

<64>

The proclaimed intention of the patrol was to bring the area under control and stop offenses committed on traders disturbing the important trading center of Lau.

<65>

On 20^th April 1909 Colour Sergeant Bailey with 22 rank and file left Nafada and marched via Deba Habe, where they joined Assistant Resident of Gombe Carlyle, to the Jukun town of Gateri where they arrived on 28^th April. Here they expected to meet with the party from Muri Division, but due to an illness of the Assistant Resident Fitzpatrick the meeting was delayed. Eventually on 12^th May they were joined by Resident Lau Division K. V. Elphinstone, Assistant Resident Brice-Smith and Lieutenant Feneran with 54 rank and file. The combined patrol left Gateri on 14^th May.

<66>

From here they first marched east and then south along the boundary line on which, however, both parties had differing views. That stretch of country was covered for the first time by a British patrol. They first visited the Pero settlements of Gwandum and Filiya, and Elphinstone remarked that he was repelled especially by the Pero. As Pero and Tangale claimed the same saltings on the river, that topic was discussed during the visit by the Galadima of Tangale and Sarkin Filiya. The next settlements they reached were Kushi and Burak. Burak expressed their contentment with the new administration protecting them against the neighbouring Lo and Pero, and they prepared a road to Gomu. Then the patrol continued to Lo, Gomu and Bambuka. Bambuka had been visited by W. P. Hewby in 1900 (he was an agent of the Royal Niger Company on the Benue and, later, Resident of Benue province) and the Bambuka were said to have been subject to the Emir of Yola. Recently there had been a series of quarrels between Gomu and Bambuka. When the patrol approached Bambuka, the people, armed with spears and shields, were working in the fields, and at first they assumed that the patrol were Gomu warriors. To settle the squabble, Resident Elphinstone decided on a fine of spears and shields from both groups, but the Gomu resented the fine. After waiting for one day, the patrol marched into Gomu town on 25^th May. Half way up the pass the force was met by Gomu ready to defend their town, so the soldiers fired two volleys at them and fighting ensued, in which the Gomu were joined by the Lo who were their allies. At the end there were 31 Gomu killed and 19 wounded, and one Lo killed and 9 wounded, with no casualties on the British side.

<67>

The patrol continued to Kode. The Kode people they considered to be at a low stage of development but friendly and co-operative. Then they passed through Panya, Bambur and Kwonchi without incident and continued to Pitiko, Bashima, Kirim, Balassa, Ankwara and Batingo. The inhabitants of these settlements were considered to be friendly with the exception of those of Angule. Angule had been burnt three times and fought twice in the past, but now the inhabitants showed no resistance. The patrol did not collect the full amount of tribute, and nothing was given to the Emir of Muri as they felt he had not earned it, for the villages were not administered by him. Although the district had been placed under the Emir by the British administration in 1900, he had never visited it.

<68>

At Ligri it was discovered that a man called Haruna ruled the place, and the official chief was subservient to him. Apparently Haruna was the head of a gang of robbers. He had already had quarrels with the patrol of Mr. Waters in 1906 when he had taken two Wurkun women as slaves, which had led to fighting. Thus Elphinstone now tried to arrest Haruna, but he escaped. The Emir of Muri and Elphinstone tried to disperse his gang and arrested and convicted several of his men.

<69>

The route taken by the patrol was determined to be impractical and it was recommended that it should never be taken again.

On 27^th May the two parties split and the Gombe party proceeded to Tangale country, arriving at Nafada on 14^th June.

<70>

The question arises, why it was only at Gomu that there was an outbreak of violence? Could it be attributed to the attitude of a warlike, strong and victorious ethnic group such as the Gomu? Or were there probably other reasons? The patrol visited first Gomu, then Bambuka and then returned to Gomu. At that time relationships between the Bambuka and the Gomu were strained; both sides were under arms. It may well have been that the Bambuka used the opportunity to engage in a little intrigue, influencing the opinion of the British patrol against the Gomu and resulting in the Gomu assuming that the Bambuka would try to defeat them with the help of the British. Evidence from oral traditions collected among the Gomu and Lo suggests that this was indeed the case. The incident is well preserved In the oral traditions of both Gomu and Lo, and it is told that Gomu made the stream dry up which was running near the camp of the patrol in order to drive them away, however, to no avail. In the British reports consulted nothing is mentioned in this respect.

<71>

In 1910 again there were several patrols on both sides of the Muri Mountains.

At least three patrols were concerned with the southern parts of the mountains and were directed against Wurkun groups and eventually the Mumuye, and against the Bachama and the Kwa. Their goal was to keep trade routes open and prevent them being imperilled. The chief of the Bachama, Jaro, who had been installed by the British in 1904 and was now accused of being involved in highway robbery, was killed in a skirmish.  [46]

<72>

From March to April 1910 a patrol of 30 rank and file under Resident Lonsdale burnt several quarters of Tangaltong (Tangale) and seized their corn as punishment for refusing to pay tax.

<73>

Resident Lonsdale had tried to collect taxes but one section of the Tangaltong district refused. As he had only seven policemen with him he could neither punish them nor force them to pay. Therefore a patrol of 30 soldiers under Lieutenant Wrenford from Nafada met Lonsdale at Deba Habe on 28^th March 1910. Of the 15 resistant anguwas (village quarters), nine paid, the remaining six were burnt and a large stock of spears and shields was destroyed; in the largest anguwa the cornbins were opened and the corn seized. The force returned to Nafada on 10^th April 1910.  [47]

<74>

From August to September 1910 another patrol under Resident Lonsdale und Lieutenant Ching went again through Waja, Tula and Tangale country in order to settle local conflicts and punish the killing of Hausa traders.

<75>

On 25^th August 1910 a force of 26 rank and file under Lieutenant C. H. Ching left Nafada to join Resident P. Lonsdale at Deba Habe. They marched to the Waja town of Sikkam, which they reached on 2^nd September. Here they attempted to arrest the killers of three Hausa traders. A pot with six old human skulls with coloured teeth was discovered. As some years before, the discovery of a pot with human skulls was mentioned suggesting evidence of a crime or at least heinous rituals. At one compound the patrol met with some resistance; in the skirmish one Waja was killed. Then the village was burnt. Proceeding via Tula they arrived at Tangaltong on 10^th September to arrest the killers of victims from a neighbouring town. As these were not handed over, on the next day the anguwas were destroyed and burnt without resistance. The neighbours helped in burning the culprits’ compounds. That clearly shows that the measures taken by the patrol were advantageous for some local factional interests.  [48]

<76>

From November 1910 until January 1911 an extensive patrol under Assistant Resident Carlyle and Captain Wolseley traversed the countries of Waja, Tula and Tangale and marched through hitherto untouched areas in the north-eastern parts of the Muri Mountains. In addition, Longuda country, which had only been marginally touched by the patrols in 1904 and 1906, was further explored. Fighting broke out with the previously unvisited Kindiyo (Cham) and Bangwinji, which left one Kindiyo and 12 Bangwinji dead, several wounded and the obligatory burnt compounds. The so-called ‘pacification’ of local conflicts in the Tangale settlement of Tal led to the destruction of a village and the death of one man.  [49]

<77>

Assistant Resident Carlyle left Deba Habe on 17^th November 1910 and went via Panda, Ture and Kaltungo to Tangaltong, where he arrived on 20^th November and built his camp at Tal. The objectives of his patrol were to settle friction in the Tangaltong area, to enquire into disturbances in the Waja area and to arrange the boundary with Yola Province.

<78>

Carlyle found out that the friction between Ture and Tangaltong was the result of the killing of seven Ture by Tangaltong (a matter which could not be settled by Captain Lonsdale’s patrol in August); further there was an affray between Kulkwinji section and Kwaiya section of Banganje which had not been settled and which so far had left two persons of both parties killed and eight wounded; and there was a clash between Tal and Tangalam in which three men had been killed. All three cases were dealt with by paying fines as compensation.

<79>

A faction fight in Kamo in which one man was killed was also settled by Carlyle through the payment of compensation. As the military escort had not yet arrived, Carlyle accomplished his tasks in Tangale country without military support.

<80>

On 3^rd December Carlyle arrived at the Waja town of Gelengu where he was joined a day later by a force of 41 rank and file and a Maxim gun under the command of Captain Wolseley and accompanied by the Medical Officer of Nafada Dr. Lobb.

At Gelengu arrests were made in connection with a recent attack on the District Headman and the quarters of the guilty persons were destroyed.

<81>

The patrol started towards Cham country on 7^th December, visiting Degri on the way and then Sikkam, which they left on 9^th December 1910, then proceeding via Nyuwar to Kindiyo, which is one of the main settlements of the Cham. Here they stayed until 11^th December. Carlyle observed that the plain between the Muri Mountains range and Tangale country was full of elephant and big game and a portion was infested with tse-tse fly. He stated that the Cham had been driven out of Degri by the Fulani. This, however, is doubtful, as all evidence suggests that the Cham were pushed to their current territory by the Waja.  [50] According to Carlyle, Kindiyo was once visited by officers from Yola Province in 1906; Mona and Dadiya, however, had never been visited by British officers before.

<82>

Then the patrol marched along the foot of the mountain range to Mona.

The Cham people had been told to clear the road to Mona, but at Kindiyo the inhabitants of a small hamlet consisting of four compounds refused and even stopped other Cham from doing it. As a warning Carlyle had one compound burnt. This made the Kindiyo men pick up their arms, one arrow was shot and and as the result the archer was killed. Then the rest of the compounds were burnt.

<83>

The patrol stayed at Mona and went to Dadiya on 12^th December where they were welcomed. On 14^th December they proceeded to Bangwinji (or Kwim, as it is called in the report, Kwim being the Dadiya name for Bangwinji), where they camped at the foot of the hills. Title holders from Dadiya, i.e. Sarkin Dadiya and Galadima of Dadiya, accompanied the patrol. As the inhabitants of Bangwinji refused to come down from their mountain settlements, the patrol climbed up the hill and warned the Bangwinji people to show no resistance. At 2.30pm. they advanced on the village on the summit of the hill, where two attempts were made to stop the patrol which were answered by gunfire leaving 12 Bangwinji dead and three wounded. Again, the violence may have been aggravated by local interests as the relationship between Dadiya and Bangwinji was strained. The chief of Dadiya served the patrol as guide and interpreter at Bangwinji, thus it is quite likely that he manipulated the situation to have the Bangwinji punished. Evidence from oral traditions supports this interpretation.

<84>

The patrol stayed at Bangwinji until 15^th December. From here they marched on 16^th December further in a westerly direction to Kushi and proceeded on 18^th December to Filiya. At the Jukun town of Gateri (Gwana) a WAFF station was established. Carlyle pointed out that there was some friction between Filiya and Gwandum. Pero, Cham and Dadiya were told that they had to pay tribute for the years 1911–12.

<85>

From Filiya the patrol went to Tal on 20^th December. At Tal "several outrages" had been committed, but the inhabitants behaved in a friendly manner to the patrol with the exception of one hamlet which was therefore destroyed. In the ensuing skirmish one Tangale was killed. The patrol remained at Tal until 25^th December, then went back to Waja country halting at Ture on 25^th, Tula Wange on 26^th and arriving at Gelengu on 27^th. From here they intended to meet Mr. Webster of Yola Province at Guyuk in order to delineate the border between Waja and Yola districts. Thus on 28^th December they crossed the hills via Bungo and Wala to Guyuk, where they arrived on 31^st December 1910. From Guyuk they proceeded southward along the ‘Yam Yam hills’, visiting various Longuda hamlets which they found to be mostly deserted. They stopped at Bobini on 3^rd January 1911 and crossed the big range moving to south west with a detachment of 20 men. Here they visited some Longuda villages on the south-eastern side of the ‘Yam Yam hills’. On 4^th January they returned to Guyuk and as Mr. Webster did not arrive, they proceeded to Kombo the next day and returned to Nafada on the same day, arriving on 15^th January. The report sums up that in total 180 shots had been fired and no casualties had been suffered on the British side.

<86>

The major settlements of the various groups in and around the Muri Mountains had now all been visited by British patrols. However, local conflicts, refusal to pay tribute and highway robbery led to further patrols in the following years.

<87>

From January to March 1911 Assistant District Officer Haughton with a patrol of half a company strength, first under Lieutenant Hebden and, later, under Lieutenant Wrenford toured the Wurkun country.  [51] In his annual report Resident Ruxton asked whether it was suitable to subjugate the pagans by military force and then include them in the emirate, but he prefered the idea of showing force for two to three months and then continue with a few policemen. He remarked that there was strong resistance to a patrol in Mumuye country in this year.  [52]

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In the next year, 1912, another patrol was undertaken by Assistant Resident Haughton. Its aims were to deal with disorder and disturbances of trade and to reach the hitherto unvisited areas of Akassa and Gongon in Mumuye country. On 12^th February 1912, Haughton, with a patrol of 50 rank and file under Lieutenant Ching and officer Cummins, left Lau and reached Wurkun country two days later. At Kwonchi some villagers, reportedly under the influence of an ex-prisoner, refused to pay tax, thus their stock was confiscated and their houses burnt. They submitted with the exception of the ex-prisoner. People at Lo also refused to pay tax and, as they also disturbed messengers from other locations bringing in their taxes, the people of Lo were ordered to pay, as a fine, 60 spears in addition to their tax. The patrol then continued to Mumuye country from 2^nd March to 11^th April. At three locations portions of the towns were burnt and razed for failing to collect their taxes. In Akassa country, which was hitherto unvisited, there was opposition, resulting in three shots being fired and two Mumuye being killed.  [53]

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In the second quarter of 1912, the military section stationed at Dadiya under Lieutenant Fowle escorted the Resident Gombe Division, Captan Lonsdale, to settle a tribal quarrel in Tula where a quarter of the village refused to pay a fine of spears and was subsequently destroyed.  [54]

<90>

From January to April 1913 Assistant Resident Carlyle undertook another extensive patrol through the southern region of Gombe Division and he left a trail of destruction. A skirmish with the Pero at Gwandum resulted in 16 Pero being killed and four wounded and the destruction of the settlement; Kindiyo was again destroyed, as was the Waja settlement of Wala and a part of Ture.  [55]

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The patrol, consisting of 30 soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Geoghegan, left Nafada on 21^st January 1913 and marched via Tongo, Deba Fulani and Deba Habe to Panda, where they arrived on 26^th January. They then went to Awak and Kamo and on the 30^th back to Awak. Next day they proceeded to Ture where they stayed until 2^nd February. On 3^rd February they continued to Kaltungo and on 6^th to Tal. A local fight which had occurred at the village of Larika in October 1912 had left two Tangale dead, thus a fine of 75 shields and 300 spears was imposed. Kalmei was fined 30 shields and 100 spears for an attack at Banganje.

On 11^th February the patrol went to Filiya and Carlyle observed that no road clearing had been done. The chief of Filiya came in to meet him but the chief of Gwandum refused.

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Thus, on the next day Carlyle, Lieutenant Geoghegan and 23 soldiers marched to Gwandum and climbed Gwandum hill. Carlyle estimated its population at 2.323 with 829 male adults. As the Gwandum people came close, the soldiers started shooting and a skirmish ensued. The patrol fired their way up to the top and destroyed the town. In the evening the chief of Gwandum came in and reported that 16 of his men were killed and four wounded.

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The force returned to Filiya where they stayed until 17^th February and ordered the road to be cleared as far as Bangwinji. On 18^th they marched to Kushi, on 20^th to Banwinji and then to Dadiya. On 3^rd March they continued to Mona and on 8^th to Kindiyo. Because of a antagonistic attitude towards the British, a part of Kindiyo was destroyed on 12^th March. Two days later they went to Jessu, then visited Nyuwar on 16^th, Sikkam on 17^th and Kulani on 19^th March. On 21^st they arrived at Degri and on the 22^nd at the town of Wala, which was destroyed without opposition. Next day they went to Jalengo and on 25^th March to Tula Wange. On 26^th the patrol went by night to Ture in order to arrest some offenders. On 28^th March a part of Ture was destroyed. The patrol returned to Panda and marched via Deba Habe, Deba Fulani, Tongo and Bage to Nafada, where they arrived on 2^nd April 1913.

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At the end of the year 1913 Assistant Resident Carlyle, who obviously believed in bringing in the taxes by force of a patrol, again made a tour through Waja, Cham and Longuda country. Kindiyo (Cham) refusing to pay its tax was involved in a clash and eight Kindiyo men were killed. At Jessu the headman’s compound was burnt. With the help of 2,000 Waja and 1,000 Tula who were asked to gather, Kindiyo was then forced to bring in their tax.  [56]

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Carlyle arrived at Nyuwar on October 29^th 1913. The taxes from Dadiya, Tula and Tangale had been paid, and Nyuwar paid on the spot. He camped at Jessu and found that here no tax was paid. The Galadima was left to collect the tax and Carlyle proceeded on 31^st October to Kindiyo, where he arrived on 1^st November, which happened to be market day and therefore the efforts to collect money met with little success. He estimated Kindiyo to have 3,187 inhabitants. Tension started and in the night the inhabitants came and fired arrows. Next day Carlyle went to Mona. Mona paid their tax and Jessu also sent their tax to Mona. Carlyle sent for 12 soldiers and stayed the 4^th to 5^th November in Dadiya. The next eight days were spent preparing the road from Dadiya to Filiya, assisted by Dadiya and Tula Wange. He arrived at Kushi on 12^th November and collected the tax from Pero. On 14^th October Carlyle was joined by Haughton, Assistant Resident Lau Division Muri Province, and engaged in boundary demarcation from 15^th to 21^st November, which brought them to Lo and Bolere. On 18^th November at Lo they were joined by 11 WAFF soldiers from Nafada. At Bolere they also met Mr. Ryan, 3^rd Resident Numan Division Yola Province, who was there because the trade road to Lau via Bolere had been closed due to some incidents. Carlyle learnt that all Cham and Pero, except for Kindiyo, had paid their tax. He left Bolere on 24^th November passing through the Tsobo towns of Suwa (or Wobongil) and arrived at Kindiyo on 25^th November. He found the town deserted, all inhabitants had gone into hiding. He tried to locate the most truculent and found them hidden among rocks on a hill north of the town on 27^th November. A fight broke out which left eight Cham dead and one wounded. He returned to the town and next day the headman came in and told him that he was trying to persuade the men to surrender. Carlyle moved to Jessu, where he stayed from 29^th to 30^th November and appointed the Galadima as the new chief, (the ex-headman was hiding, and his compound was therefore destroyed). On 1^st December he returned to Kindiyo where the situation was unchanged, but when the various chiefs of Waja arrived with 2,000 men, all came in from their farms and paid their taxes. The Waja left on 3^rd December when 1,000 Tula arrived and befriended the Cham people. In Carlyle’s opinion their refusal to pay tax was sparked by the unadministered state of the Tsobo towns which paid no tax. The military escort left for Nafada on 5^th December.

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This shows that Carlyle used the local alliances and frictions to achieve his goals, although the situation might well have turned out differently, for instance Kindiyo being overwhelmed by Waja and Tula warriors or all parties uniting against Carlyle.

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In 1914 in the southern parts of the Muri Mountains, Assistant District Officer (ADO) Haughton with a police escort visited several settlements of Wurkun groups and Jen due to what was termed "various outrages" and took "executive measures" at Bambur, Lukudu, Senge and Jen. In September 1914 District Officer Glenny reported that Bashima, Kode and Jen refused to pay grain tribute for the troops at Yola, this resistance was explained with reference to the First World War. No patrol was undertaken because there were no police available. Ankwara, Kwa, Lukudu (Angule) and Lo refused to pay their tax for 1914, and further government messengers were assaulted at Ankwara and driven out by Lo. Ankwara and Kwa did eventually pay their tax in February 1915.  [57]

<98>

In order to settle a violent conflict between rival factions of the Tangale, a patrol of 22 rank and file under Carlyle was dispatched. In its course, 14 Tal Tangale were killed, grain seized and given to the rival faction of Todi.  [58]

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On 13^th November 1914 Carlyle was informed that there was trouble between Tal and Todi. The conflict had started when six Todi girls were raped by men from Tal. When their chief came to complain he was driven away, but his people killed two Tal men. On the following day Tal fell on Todi, and in the skirmish five men from Todi were killed, houses and corn bins were burned and looted. The Galadima of Tangaltong in West Tangale tried to intervene, but was driven away and wounded, 12 of his supporters were wounded and six killed. In the retreat they in turn killed nine Tal men.

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The patrol gathered at Deba Habe, where on 18^th November 15 soldiers arrived from Nafada and they were joined by seven soldiers from Bauchi on 25^th November. That same day they left and arrived at Tal on 28^th November 1914. After futile negotiations the soldiers fired upon Tal, drove out the inhabitants and burnt the town. Altogether 12 people from Tal were killed in the fighting and nine wounded, two of whom died later, raising the casualties to 14. In total 265 rounds were fired. On 29^th all grain was taken from Tal’s quarters and given to Todi. On 30^th the patrol continued to Pindiga and the next day to Ako.

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The resistance of the local population in these years was explained by the situation caused by the First World War, as it was thought that it would weaken the British influence. Carlyle reported that the Tera were renewing the walls around their settlements fearing attacks by the Fulani after a possible withdrawal of the British.

<102>

In the next year, 1915, there was a patrol in Wurkun country again, leaving five Kwonchi dead and their compounds burnt.  [59]

District Officer Groom left Mutum Biu on 6^th March 1915 and went via Lau to Karim, where he arrived on 10^th March. Here he tried to gather information about an incident in which two messengers, who had been sent to Kwonchi to tell them to provide labourers in order to assist a gun convoy, were killed. On the next day there was also a clash between some Kwonchi and some Fulani from Yola, in which three Fulani men were killed and four cattle slaughtered. On 13^th March, when Major Ellis returned from leave, the patrol, consisting of District Officer Groom, Major Ellis and 24 soldiers, together with the District Head, left Karim for Kwonchi country. Certain quarters of Kwonchi, which were suspected of having been involved in the killing of the messengers, had formed an armed camp two miles north on the road to Kode. When the patrol approached the camp on the morning of 15^th March, however, they fled. Major Ellis followed them and tried to arrest some; in the skirmish five Kwonchi were killed and one wounded. On the next day the compounds of the men found guilty were razed. This led to the submission of the other quarters of Kwonchi. The following day the compounds of the men who had clashed with the Fulani were also destroyed.

<103>

The patrol then moved to Angule via Pitiko. On arrival at Angule Lukudu the tax was collected without resistance. At Ankwara the man who had assaulted the government messengers was arrested. In 1910 ADO Haughton had forbidden a resettlement on Ankwara hill, but nevertheless a highway robber had established himself with some followers on the hill overlooking the Bauchi trade route. He escaped, but his houses were destroyed. The patrol then returned to Kwonchi on 20^th March. On 22^nd March they proceeded to Zo and arrested two men. They were sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment. Two others from Kode and Gomu were sentenced for resisting Native Authority. It was reported that Lo had prepared to fight before they learnt about the patrol’s dealing with Kwonchi, and so the Lo brought in their tax without resistance. In the report Lo and Kode are described as being the least developed groups in the district. Groom then returned to Karim on 24^th March, left Major Ellis at Lau and proceeded to Mutum Biu on 27^th March 1915.

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From 2^nd June to 15^th July 1916 a patrol of 70 soldiers, led by Captain Gardner, toured the country of Yungur, Lala, Longuda, Kanakuru and Tsobo (Pire). Among the Yungur the compound of a deserter from the West African Frontier Force was burnt, and they left Guyuk, which had already been punished ten years before by Oliver Howard, burnt for not having delivered their taxes. On 11^th July they visited Dumna in Tsobo country without any incident and were back at Yola on 15^th July 1916.  [60]

<105>

The Tsobo at the south-eastern end of the Muri Mountains were brought under control in 1917, but were visited again by a patrol during the following year for having attacked the District Officer.  [61]

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The Resident of Muri Province, Fremantle, together with Major Edgar and a police force made a tour in Wurkun district for a fortnight in 1918. A chief feature of the visit was the capture by night by Major Ellis’ police in three places of persons who had been involved in the Wurkun outbreak of 1915. Three were condemned to death by Major Edgar and two sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.  [62]

<107>

A combined patrol, consisting of officers from Gombe and Numan Divisions with 20 rank and file, toured the common border and the Tangale-Waja area in 1918 without causing any violent incidents.  [63]

<108>

The ADO of Gombe Division, Pembleton, met with his military escort of 20 soldiers under the command of Colour Sergeant Mackenzie at Deba Habe on 10^th March 1918. They first visited Tangale area and collected the tax of all Tula and Tangale communities with the exception of the southern villages. At Kampandi quarter in Western Tangale all inhabitants had fled because they had rescued a certain Lautulo who had been arrested for murder in February. Then they continued via Pero to Kindiyo where they met W. C. Moore, ADO Numan Yola Province, on 1^st April. Moore collected tax from the Tsobo who had been subjugated the previous year. Kindiyo and Jessu also paid their tax. Pembleton and Moore together investigated the Yola-Bauchi border near Dadiya. From Dadiya, Pembleton then went to Filiya to collect tax. Here the Pero people had suffered from a smallpox epidemic. At Kampandi he found that the inhabitants had returned and their ward head Lawili was arrested. On 2^nd May they went to Waja district where some men were convicted of murder. On 8^th May Pembleton met Moore again at Kombo to continue with border matters. Pembleton then proceeded to Gelengu to collect the Waja tax and returned to Western Tangale on 20^th May. On 23^rd May he went to Kwaya and Pindiga, before returning to Nafada where he arrived on 2^nd June 1918.

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The era of violent punitive measures on a larger scale came to an end. However, in 1921 and 1923 there were outbreaks of violence in Tangale country which were dealt with by patrols that left three Tangale dead and four wounded.

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On 5^th January 1921 the chief of Kaltungo reported that the Galadima of Kaltungo had been killed by people of his anguwa on the day before, and so on 6^th January the ADO Gombe Division, E. S. Pembleton, arrived at Kaltungo with several policemen. They tried to arrest the culprits who fled, a skirmish ensued and two Tangale were killed and two wounded.  [64]

To the south of the Muri Mountains, the last patrol in Numan Division was sent to Bille in Batta country to subdue rebellious villagers in 1921.  [65]

<111>

In March 1923, after an exercise to delineate the boundary between West Tangale and Gombe Emirate by the ADO Gombe, John Molyneux, there was concern among the Tangale on the grounds that they felt they were deprived of their land. About 700 Tangale men moved to the compound of the Galadima Ako (who served as the District Head of Gombe) at Kumo and attacked it on 26^th March 1923. The Galadima fled to the camp of Molyneux, who brought in police who fired 18 rounds at the warriors, killing one man and wounding two. The following investigation made Galadima Ila, the head chief of West Tangale, responsible for the action. He was deposed and Sarkin Biliri was made their chief instead. Further, a fine of £130, i.e. half a year’s tax, was imposed.  [66]

<112>

Early in 1929, in the Shongom area of Gombe district, a disturbance occurred which was quelled by the touring ADO E. A. Carr arriving with armed police and arresting the culprits. The conflict had its cause in a rivalry between a local headman and the authorised village head smouldering since 1927.  [67]

<113>

In November 1930 among the Pero a commotion occurred, caused by a local dogari (chief’s bodyguard) beating a Pero man, which led to the District Head nearly being attacked. The angry villagers were calmed down by the missionary Walter of the Sudan United Mission. The ADO Carr went to Filiya with 19 policemen from Gombe and restored peace.  [68]