Idris Alooma made functional and easy to attain military policies. He extended the Sefawa power over the Kanuri empire. He also sought to expand the kingdom of Bornu. The majority of wealth flowing into the empire came through plunder and tribute from conquered lands.
Idris Alooma also controlled trade routes to North Africa giving him a healthy monopoly. He began a steady campaign which united all semi-independent states within Bornu into a united Islamic state.
He led wars against anti-Islamic states. An example of such state was The Tetala which fell into the hands of Bornu's marching army. The Kotoko people aided Bornu's army as they drove The Tetala towards lake Chad. Idris Alooma's victories in war includes subjugating the people of Ngizim located Southwest of his empire, crushing of Marghi's rebellion and the forcing of Mandara to restore a deposed ruler and accepting his overlordship.
At the height of his power he led his forces against the kingdom of Kano. The campaign against Kano was so successful that only Dala stronghold remained untouched. Kano's defeat allowed Idris to lead his army across Hausaland exacting tributes from the conquered lands.
The armies of Idris Alooma met a strong resistance which halted the expansion of Bornu for sometime. The Bulala people of Kanem and Tuareg of Air stood in the way of Idris Alooma. The successful halting of the rampaging Bornu soldiers lay in the inability to keep up water supply and the enemy’s refusal to engage in a decisive battle.
Idris reverted to espionage and he sort to usurp the sultan Ahb Al-Jelil by supporting his rival. The sultan a strong enemy of Bornu also had interest in expansion. In fact he tried to annex towns on Bornu-Kanem border which were then under the control of Bornu. Idris Alooma led several campaigns against the sultan, he also tried diplomacy before he brought the sultan to his knees. As punishment Bornu annexed part of Kanem ruled by Abd Al-Jelil.
The control of the trade route to North Africa caused a power tussle between Bornu and The Tuareg. To show his determination Idris led his army against Bilma an important salt producing center. Bilma situated on the Trans-Saharan route was an important market center, Idris Army occupied this center. It took a few years before the determined Bornu soldiers and their Arab mercenaries defeated The Tuareg, Idris Alooma became their overlord.
Idris Alooma a devote Muslim laid great emphasis on religious adherence. He forbade taking of Muslim slaves from conquered lands. He also ensured his army prayer at the usual prayer times even on the march. He built burnt brick mosques throughout his empire. He placed Kanem-Bornu under Sharia law.By his death Islam had already taken a foothold on Bornu. Idris Alooma brought military and civil success to the kingdom of Bornu.
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