Ahmadu's retreat was attributed to the intensive prayers which Emir Aliyu had paid the lofty sum of thirty million cowries for. Conflict with the French After the murder of their officers in Zinder, the French sought retribution. They mobilized a garrison from Dakar under Captain Pallier and made for Damagaram where they defeated the forces of Ahmadu at the battle of Tirmini. Ahmadu then fled Zinder with some of its inhabitants. Death The French forces followed Ahmadu to the village of Rinji where he was slain on the 16th of September 1899. His brother Ahmadu Dan Bassa who had sided with the French was appointed Sultan. His death in Rinji earned him the epithets "Maje Rinji and Mai Rinji". References Sultans