Buba Yero

Abubakar bin Usman (c. 1762 – 1841), most commonly known as Buba Yero or Modibbo Gombe, was a Fulani Islamic scholar, military leader and the founder of the Gombe Emirate in what is now northeastern Nigeria. A disciple of Usman dan Fodio, he played a major role in the early 19th century Sokoto jihad, leading campaigns that extended the Caliphate's influence across the Gongola Basin and surrounding regions, including parts of the Bornu Empire to the north and the Middle Benue region to the south. at the confluence of the Gongola and Hawal rivers. His paternal grandfather, Aliyu Ukuba, was a Fulani who migrated from Rai Buba (in present-day Cameroon) to Mayo Faro. From there, Ukuba's son Usman went north across the Benue to Petembere, near Shellen. Another version of the tradition claims he was prevented from completing his journey and returned home after his liberation.

Gombe jihad Buba Yero withdrew his troops to the right bank of the Gongola River and made Ribadu his main base for the next sixteen years (c. 1802–1818). Soon after arriving at Ribadu, he received orders from Usman dan Fodio in 1804 to begin a jihad He immediately turned his attention to the walled town of Nafada, which submitted peacefully after a delegation of Fulani and Bolewa inhabitants invited him to rule over them. Leaving much of his following at Ribadu, he remained for about six years (c. 1804–1810) at Nafada. He also made "excursions deep into Bornu territory, spreading terror and destruction, and creating countless refugees." Bauchi Gordi crossed the Yedseram and began a series of campaigns reaching as far east as Mayo Sancho. He then turned south, laying waste to the rich and populous plains of Mubi before advancing to Uba, where he defeated the Marghi chief Use-Urnda. He continued south to the Lala Plateau, where he was killed in battle, possibly against the Yungur. During these campaigns, Buba Yero distributed subordinate flags, appointing no fewer than thirteen deputies, including several local Fulani clan leaders. From Dukku, he exacted allegiance from all the Bolewa towns that had been under Kalam, as well as from the powerful Jukun (Kwararafa) state of Pindiga, within a radius of roughly thirty miles. Around 1824, he moved about eight miles farther south and founded his permanent capital at Gombe (later renamed Gombe Abba in his honour). In 1833, when Buba Yero was about eighty years old, he became anxious to ensure his son Kwairanga would succeed him as emir. He feared that Gombe's electoral council might instead choose Hamma Ruwa, who, although enjoying great autonomy in Muri, still recognised Gombe's authority. Buba Yero summoned Hamma Ruwa and his eldest son Bose to a conference in Gombe, where he had them executed upon arrival on grounds of failing to render sufficient obedience. To resolve the matter, Caliph Bello declared Muri independent of Gombe.

Buba Yero never formally adopted the title of emir, preferring instead to be addressed as modibbo, a Fulani title honouring a learned scholar. He died at his capital in 1841 and was succeeded by his son Suleimanu. Family Not much is known about Buba Yero's wives. A tradition relates how he met and married two of them. When he set out for Gobir to study under Usman dan Fodio, he reportedly stopped at Daura, where the local chief gave him his daughter Hawa in marriage. Other sources claim she was actually from Kano. He continued on to Katsina, where he married Zulai, the daughter of the local chief.

During Buba Yero's early campaigns, Zulai is said to have given birth to Suleimanu at Shani (Biu). From there, they moved to Gulani, where Hawa gave birth to Muhammadu Kwairanga. He had another son, Mallam Buba, who lived at Ribadu. He did not engage in military affairs, and was a full-time scholar and teacher.