[1] Ahmadu soon found himself in a power struggle with the Emirate of Kano under Aliyu Mai Sango, Bornu under Rabih Az-Zubayr, and French Colonialists.
Ahmadu soon entered Kano by way of Daura and Kazaure and took the town of Malikawa, where he collected their leader, people and much booty and returned to Damagaram.
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.
[1] 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.
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.
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.
Ahmadu fell ill in Nassarawa and was forced to withdraw with his large haul of booty before completing his conquest.
Ahmadu's retreat was attributed to the intensive prayers which Emir Aliyu had paid the lofty sum of thirty million cowries for.
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.