Aliyu reportedly distinguished himself at the field during the Basassa, the victories of his columns at Gogel and Utai placed him at an advantage when in 1894, during the Battle of Gaya; Yusuf was fatally wounded.[1] The Sarkin-Dawakin-Tsakar-Gida Abbas and Dan-Makwayo Shehu also contenders to the throne, were forced to concede when at his death bed; Yusuf was informed of a plan by the then Caliph of Sokoto Abdurrahman Danyen Kasko to lead the Autumn Army on a punitive expedition against the Yusufawa,[2] with Aliyu's mother being a sister to the Caliph; the coronation of Aliyu would presumably pacify Sokoto.[3]