After three successful encounters with the British at Gusau and Zamfara, In March 1903, the Kano cavalry was ambushed at Kwatarkwashi.[5] In the ensuing battle, Vazier Ahmadu was killed and at some point before or after that, Aliyu took to flight in a Mahadist Hijira.[5] With the defeat of the Kano cavalry, The Wambai of Kano - Abbass surrendered to the British while the remnant of the Kano Cavalry that returned to Sokoto was integrated into the Caliphal force. Months later, Aliyu was captured by the French in modern-day Niger Republic and handed over to the British.