THE COMING OF THE BRITISH TO KATSINA IN 1903.

   BY ALHAJI MUSA GAMBO KOFAR SORO ( WAZIRIN TARIHIN KATSINA). 

The coming of the British to Katsina was followed by the eventual occupation  and subjugation of Katsina to the British  rule has been on variously perceived both in oral testimonies and in written  documents. 

However, it is said that  after the fall of Sokoto in March, 1903, the then Emir of Katsina Abubakar (1887-1905) received  a letter from the British, that Luggard  would arrive in Katsina and that he should prepare personally to receive him.  On March, 28, 1903, the high commissioner of the Northern  Nigerian  protectorate Captain Luggard arrived in Katsina on his way back from the installation of Sultan  Attahiru II as the new Sarkin Musulmi  of Sokoto, the first to be appointed by the British. It was at Yandaka Gate that  the Emir of Katsina  Abubakar made his final  submission.  

Advertisement

Furthermore, the following statement  summarized  the whole scene of the British occupation of Katsina. Luggard and  his entourage approached the  Yandaka City  Gate, late in the afternoon, within moment, the Emir  accompanied by some of Katsina King makers and leading officials came out through the gate and rode up to Luggard. The atmosphere was extremely tense and fear was written across the face of the Emir, for this was the first time he had ever seen a  European. Neither men dismounted but merely clasped hands and utter a  few words of greetings. Moment later, Abubakar turned and rode back into the  city,  shortly after ward Luggard followed. In view of the above, Katsina has thus  fallen into the British yoke very peacefully as nobody  was neither killed nor injured. Ultimate authority now passed to the British, it was equally  important, because Katsina was the last Emirate of the Sokoto caliphate  to submit  to the British rule and it's submission completed the British  conquest of Northern Nigeria. 

The following day Luggard called up on the Emir  and his leading men, he told the Emir that British would  recognized him as King, Abubakar was reinstalled, thus making it clear that he was now ultimately responsible  not to the Amir- Almuminina, but to the British High Commissioner. It has  been  said that Luggard took the sword with which Korau  had used to slay  Sanau as a symbol that power had now been transferred  to the British. Besides, he further explained to the Emir on how to  treat his subjects and promised to  spread to he development  of education. Moreover, he explained on how domestic currency could be exchanged with that of the British. Following this was the consolidation of British authority  that lasted for numerous years. 

Alh. Musa Gambo Kofar soro

(Wazirin Tarihin Katsina).