162 
EUROPE AND AFRICA 
be brought under control. Particularly was it necessary that 
the Sultan of Sokoto should be forced to submit to British 
suzerainty, since he was the recognized overlord of all the 
Emirs of northern Nigeria. 
The constabulary of the Niger Company was incorpo- 
rated in the West African Frontier Police, which was reor- 
ganized by Colonel Lugard and raised to over one thousand 
men. From the spring to the autumn of 1901, Sir Frederic 
was called away to assist in putting down a rising in Ashanti- 
land, and compelled to take a large portion of his new force 
with him; but by the end of the year he was back and ready 
for action. His first move was in December against the 
Emir of Bida, who, since his expulsion by the company 
in 1897, had returned and secured control of the government 
of Nupé, and the Emir of Kontagora — a notorious “de- 
stroyer” (slave-hunter) and tyrant. The lands of these two 
chieftains lay on both sides of the main caravan route be- 
tween the great trade mart of Kano and the Middle Niger, 
which must be kept open and safe. These rulers had, more- 
over, been defying the Government and devastating the 
country during the absence of the troops. In January, 1902, 
Kontagora was taken and the forces of its Emir dispersed 
without difficulty, but he unfortunately escaped capture. In 
spite of the peaceful overtures of the British commander, 
the Emir of Bida fled without waiting for Lugard to ap- 
proach his capital. He was deposed soon after; and the 
chief, formerly installed by the Niger Company, reappointed 
in his place. Garrisons were left temporarily in both states 
and a Resident at Bida. 
The people everywhere made demonstrations of delight 
at the overthrow of these well-known despots; but the 
British authorities were careful not to be led astray from 
their established policy of maintaining everywhere members 
of the ruling families on the thrones of the different states.