At the time, Borno faced a significant issue with robbers, and in Dikwa, there were several posts manned by guards armed with old rifles who patrolled the area.

The particular armed guard in question was ninety years old and had previously served as a soldier in Rabih az-Zubayr's army.

'[5]In 1943, he was appointed CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), on the nomination of Bernard Henry Bourdillon.

Finally, in 1960, the governor of Northern Nigeria, Gawain Bell recommended him for appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, so that he became Sir Umar.

[7] Sheriff, Bosoma, Muhammad Fannami, and Abba Rufai Tijani, Functions of Shettima Kanuribe: Instances in the Shehu of Borno’s Palace (Maiduguri: Desktop Investment Ltd., 2011).