Author(s) :

Saidu Mukhtar; Apex Anselm Apeh .

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This study examines the history of military recruitment in Zuru Emirate (Dakarkari) during the First World War, a neglected yet pivotal chapter in Northern Nigeria’s colonial military historiography. Despite their resistance to British conquest between 1904 and 1908, the Dakarkari earned admiration for their martial qualities, bravery, and tactical prowess, leading colonial authorities to actively recruit them into the West African Frontier Force (WAFF). Drawing on traditional institutions such as golmo (youth farm labour clubs fostering discipline and endurance), wrestling, hunting, and archery, Zuru youths were culturally predisposed to military service. These practices, combined with their successful defiance of the Sokoto Jihad and colonial forces, aligned with the British “martial race” theory. During WWI, the Zuru Division became a major recruitment hub; in 1917, 1918, 1921, and 1924 alone, over 21,991 men were enlisted, with Dakarkari forming a significant contingent through voluntary and conscription systems. Many served as combatants, carriers, signallers, and support staff across West African campaigns. The paper argues that Zuru’s deep military tradition not only shaped the formative nucleus of the Nigerian Army but also influenced the Emirate’s socio-economic landscape. Data for the research were obtained through primary and secondary sources, including archival records, newspaper articles, and other related documents. This research accentuates the Dakarkari’s outsized contributions to Nigeria’s military heritage and the lasting legacy of colonial recruitment in the region. Keywords: military recruitment; World War 1; Zuru Emirate; military history; British Colonial Rule

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