over re-entering vassalage to Sokoto. Meanwhile, Ahmadu kept himself busy with expeditions against former Bornu tributaries, Nguru and Macina. Following these conquests, he then attacked Gumel but this attack though resulting in the destruction of one of the city's gates was repelled by the inhabitants. Ahmadu then threw a smokescreen when he wrote to Sarkin Sankara, threatening to attack his town. As Emir Aliyu had his hands full fighting the Ningi, the Sarkin Sankara resorted to prayers and employed his marabouts to provide him with charms and spells to ward off Ahmadu's forces which he later believed to work as the attack never materialized. First Assault on Kano A year later, having successfully concealed his motive, Ahmadu made for the Kano capital, entering through Gezawa with the intention to rendezvous with the rest of his army outside of the gates of Fagge. Aliyu however quickly organized his forces to intercept Ahmadu and ordered his drummers to mimic the Damagaram drum rhythm, succeeding in luring Ahmadu into an ambush where the Damagaram forces were forced to retreat to Zinder. Energized by his success, Emir Aliyu set for Burra in Ningi but was in turn tricked into a trap where he barely escaped with his life. Second Assault on Kano A year later, Ahmadu Kuran Daga returned to Kano with a score to settle. This time, he entered through Zango and then Kazaure before making his way toward Tattarawa. Aliyu once again decided to intercept Ahmadu's forces, even against the advice of his marabouts who warned him of a looming defeat. Aliyu's cavalry, led by Madaki Kwairinga attacked with much vigor and enjoyed much success until Ahmadu unleashed his arsenal of muskets and canons which spooked the Kano horses and sent the cavalry into disarray. Much of Kano's army was lost and Aliyu fled towards Kano with a few of his men to prepare for a siege. Ahmadu continued his march, advancing to Panisau and seizing its residents and then to Nassarawa where he captured their ruler's concubines, slaves and stores unopposed. Anticipating an impending attack, Aliyu assembled his men and Arab residents with guns on Kano's walls. But Ahmadu's attack never transpired. Ahmadu fell ill in Nassarawa and was forced to withdraw with his large haul of booty before completing his conquest. It is possible that he was alerted of the arrival of French forces who also had accounts to square.