Abubakar Garbai of Borno

Abu Bakr ibn Ibrahim Kura al-Kanemi, known as Abubakar Garbai and Bukar Garbai, was the last ruler of the Kanem–Bornu Empire, ruling as shehu in 1900 and in 1901–1902. He later served as the first shehu of British Borno (the modern-day Borno Emirate), a traditional state under the British Northern Nigeria Protectorate and later Nigeria Protectorate, in 1902–1922.

Garbai was a son of Ibrahim Kura, who had ruled as shehu in 1884/1885–1885/1886 and came to power in the aftermath of French and British conflicts against the Sudanese warlord Rabih az-Zubayr, who had ruled Kanem–Bornu in 1893–1900. After Rabih's defeat, Garbai's brother Sanda Kura was made shehu by the French. Sanda Kura's rule was dissatisfactory to the French, who replaced him with Garbai in July or August 1900. Garbai's reign saw conflict with Rabih's son, Fadlallah, and came to an end as France, Britain, and Germany carved up the territories of the Kanem–Bornu Empire under their own colonial spheres of influence. In April 1902, Garbai accepted an offer to serve as the figurehead ruler of the British portion of the empire.

Garbai maintained a large degree of autonomy and power under the British, particularly in regards to tax collection and dispensation of justice. It was initially intended to rebuild the ruined old Kanem–Bornu capital of Kukawa, though this proved infeasible and Garbai instead chose Maiduguri as his seat. During World War I (1914–1918), Garbai helped the British with local support, which helped to ensure a relatively swift British victory over German troops in the region. Garbai's territory and autonomy was subsequently increased. Garbai continued to serve as shehu until his death in 1922.

Early life Abubakar Garbai was a son of Ibrahim Kura, who ruled as shehu in 1884/1885–1885/1886.

In late 1898, Garbai joined his elder brother Sanda Kura in the struggle against Rabih. After the defeat of Rabih at the battle of Kousséri in 1900, Sanda Kura was installed with French support as Kanem–Bornu's new ruler at Dikwa, az-Zubayr's former capital. In July/August 1900, Sanda Kura was replaced as shehu with his brother Abubakar Garbai, who was considered more pliable. Garbai was installed at Dikwa and agreed to pay the remaining sum owed to the French (21,000 Maria Theresa dollars) and to drive away the Baggara Arabs. Garbai tried to assert his rule as shehu by sending an army led by the eunuch Mestrema Musa to occupy the city of Maiduguri, within the British colonial sphere of influence. Fadlallah beat Musa to Maiduguri, reaching the city on 26 November, and was able to defeat Musa's 1,500-strong army with minimal losses. Fadlallah had Maiduguri burnt and marched on Dikwa. Garbai and most of Dikwa's population fled to Ngala and Fadlallah retook the capital without opposition on 30 November. In June, Fadlallah returned again and occupied Burguma. Fadlallah's advance frightened Garbai, who temporarily abandoned Dikwa again and fled to the lands around the Chari River, seeking French protection. Whether Garbai willingly entered British territory is not clear. (although many of these had once fought for Rabih ) but also showcased some reluctance to leave Dikwa.

Ruler of British Borno (1902–1922)

Initial years Six emirs and sultans of Northern Nigeria gathered at the Great Durbar in Kano for a 1913 New Years celebration. Garbai is the third from the left. Through Garbai, the British could present their colonisation of Bornu as the restoration of a rightful monarch. Garbai continued to collect taxes in his own name and unsuccessfully tried to keep his own firearms. The site also suffered from an inadequate water supply. and on 9 January 1907 Garbai moved his seat to Yerwa (later called Maiduguri). In 1922, Dikwa was incorporated into the Borno Province, though Sanda Kyarimi continued to hold the title of shehu there. in 1922.