Modibbo Adama's jihad in Fombina

Overview

Fulani herders had lived peacefully among the peoples of the upper Benue since the 15th century, but around 1803 a quarrel with the Bata over their customs, in which Ardo Njobbo had a Bata prince killed, turned to war. In 1809 the Ardos met at Gurin, and Modibbo Adama, a scholar who had studied in Bagirmi and Bornu, came back from Usman dan Fodio with a flag as Lamido Fombina, “ruler of the south-lands”. Mounted Fulbe, armed and trained from Hausaland, overcame the scattered, decentralised peoples one by one; Bata of Zummo, Malabu and Holma joined them, while dan Fodio forbade war on the Bata and Verre. Adama took Dulo, capital of Mandara, but could not hold it; Mandara allied with Bornu against him. Fulani sub-emirates rose at Mubi, Michika, Madagali, Moda, Uba and many more, and in 1841 Adama made Yola his capital. At his death in 1847 Fombina stretched deep into today's Cameroon.^[1],[2]High confidence

Who took part

• Adamawa (Fombina)· Attacked
• Mandara· Defended
• Bata, Verre and hill peoples· Rose up

What happened

1. c. 1803 · Numan (Bata country)

   Ardo Njobbo's quarrel

   A Bata prince is killed over the Bata's customs; war with the Fulbe follows, and Adama's father dies.^[1]Medium confidence

2. 1809 · Gurin

   The flag at Gurin

   Adama returns as Lamido Fombina; the jihad begins.^[1],[2]High confidence

3. 1820s · Dulo (Mandara)

   Dulo taken

   Adama takes Mandara's capital, which falls with little resistance, but cannot govern it.^[1]High confidence

4. 1841 · Yola

   Yola

   Adama makes Yola his capital.^[1]High confidence

5. 2 September 1901 · Yola

   The British take Yola

   Colonel Morland's force takes Yola; Lamido Zubairu escapes to Gurin.^[1]High confidence

Kingdoms involved

• Sokoto Caliphate

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

1. Wikipedia contributors. Adamawa Emirate
2. Wikipedia contributors. Modibo Adama