APPENDIX XVIII
Philip Askell Benton translation
(Vid. Note [62])
FADEL ALLAH AND THE FRENCH
A portion of Rabeh’s force was not present at Kusseri as they were in garrison at Karnak (Logone) under Fadel Allah. The latter retreated upon Dikoa, pursued by the French [vid. Guilleux, ‘List of Authorities’]. He was routed on the River Yedseram, but escaped and rallied his forces at Mugelbu in Southern Mandara. From here he communicated in the autumn of 1900 with the British Resident at Ibi on the River Benue. From Mugelbu Fadel Allah moved back to the Kilba hills on the Yola-Bornu border, and later traversed Marghi, via Chibuk, where his camp can still be seen, then on to Marguba on the Maiduguri-Gujba road. From here he made a raid on Maiduguri and defeated the Shehu’s general, Mestrema Musa, chief eunuch, just outside the town. Mestrema Musa (Mallam Musa) is now Ajia of Borsari. Fadel Allah then continued his raid to Dikoa, which he found abandoned and burnt. Shehu Garbai fled from Dikoa to Ngala where he gave battle to F. Allah, but was defeated and fled to Kanem.
The French collected their forces and Fadel Allah had to retire hurriedly on Marguba, whence with his brother Moman Niebé in command of the advance guard with the women and baggage, he continued his retreat south-westwards; the pursuing French shelling the town of Billaraba, south of Gujba, under the mistaken impression that Fadel Allah was there, before returning to Dikoa.
Fadel Allah camped for some months in the spring of 1901 at Gwani and Bima on the River Gongola and again communicated with the British Resident of Ibi. Fadel Allah pressing for an interview with a representative of the British Government, Major McClintock was sent up by the Acting High Commissioner.
This officer met Fadel Allah at Burguma on the Maiduguri-Gujba road, and, counselling him to remain in camp pending the decision of the British Government (vid. note [67]), marched back through the Marghi district to Yola.
Fadel Allah disregarded this instruction and sent one of his lieutenants, named It, to dig up a gun which had been buried near Dikoa. The French attacked and killed It, and again Fadel Allah retired to Gujba. Here, on the Ansei swamp, the final skirmish took place on August 27, 1901. Fadel Allah was shot through the body on horseback, but was got away to Mutue, where he was buried in the swamp. The French dug him up, cut off his head and took it back to Dikoa. The name of the French commander was Dangeville. Moman Niebé surrendered and returned with the French to the French Congo.