Musa was a close friend and ally of Sarkin Kano Ibrahim Dabo [1819-1846] partly because of his courage and war strategies. He ascended to the throne barely few weeks after Ibrahim Dabo became the new emir of Kano.

His reputation as a wise and brave commander of Salihi, who planned the liberation of Birnin-Kudu from Habe ruler; his marriage to the daughters of deposed Sarkin Dutse [Gwajabo] and Galadiman Kano [Sani] and most remarkable surprise depeat of the El-Kanemi forces at [Fake] helped in creating his legendary history.