§ MR. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the extent of the check to the British Forces in North Nigeria, and what is the latest military report from that district of West Africa, especially with regard to isolated British posts, have they been reinforced, and to what extent.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The situation is as follows: After the occupation of Sokoto in March, the ex-Sultan fled in an easterly and south-easterly direction across Northern Nigeria, and at the 61 date of the latest reports (the middle of May) was in a district more than 400 miles from Sokoto, and some 200 miles from Kano in a direct line, where there are no British posts. He had been joined by many of the inhabitants of the towns in this remote district. He was pursued by a small force of the West African Frontier Force, under Captain Sword, who reported (on the 16th of May) that he had attacked the ex-Sultan's forces in a walled town called Durmi. The attack was unsuccessful, Captain Sword being without artillery. The casualties on his side were: Captain Plummer slightly wounded, one British non-commissioned officer severely wounded, four native soldiers killed, and sixty slightly wounded. The enemy's loss was estimated at 300 killed and wounded. Captain Sword's force consisted of only 130 rank and file, and he stated that he was retiring to Bautshi (the nearest British post) without opposition. Reinforcements from other parts of Northern Nigeria are being sent to Bautshi, where 500 men with artillery will shortly be concentrated. There is no disquieting news from other parts of the Protectorate, and the acting High Commissioner considers that the precautions taken are sufficient. In order, however, to provide for any possible emergency, contingents of the West African Frontier Force are being held in readiness in the neighbouring West African Colonies, who will proceed at once to Northern Nigeria on the demand of the acting High Commissioner.