After Shehu Alimi's demise, there was a tussle for the rulership of Ilorin, a young and burgeoning town. The alfas wanted to establish an Islamic Caliphate based on knowledge, while Afonja was planning on establishing his rule, but Abdulsalam, a son of Shehu Alimi, emerged with the help of the Jama'a, being the biggest military presence in Ilorin. Afonja was killed during the reign of Abdulsalam when a brawl broke out between the Yoruba forces and Jama'a caused by the masquerade of Afonja. Masquerades were banned in Ilorin because of that incident. Ilorin became an emirate of the Sokoto Caliphate under the authority of Gwandu.[2][1] There were multiple unsuccessful attempts by Yoruba's, and Yoruba allies to regain, and or expel Fulani's from Ilorin, such as Battle of Pamo,[3] Battle of Ogbomosho, Battle of Ilorin,[3] Mugbamugba war. The strategic location of the emirate between the north and south bestowed upon Ilorin a unique significance, which persisted even after the Caliphate throughout the colonial and post-colonial eras.[1] Ilorin was brought under the northern Protectorate through diplomacy and applying minimal force considering the political situation of the state then.