The late General Sani Abacha was neither Hausa nor Fulani. He was KANURI.

Introduction
The Kanuris are some of the most prominent tribes/ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Predominant States/Regions
-The Kanuris are found in the areas that covers the historic Kanem and Bornu Empires (Kanem-Bornu). Kanuris are predominant in two states in northeastern  Nigeria: Borno and Yobe.
-In addition to these states, Kanuris are also found outside Nigeria, and these include western Chad, northern parts of Cameroon and southeast Niger.
-Kanuri cities in Nigeria are: Maiduguri, Damaturu, Chibok, Bama, Damboa, Monguno, Konduga, Guzamala, Marte, Kukawa, Jere and others.

Prominent People of the Tribe
Some of the most prominent people in Nigeria are Kanuris and they are as follows:
-Saninegeria Mohammed Abacha, former Nigerian military ruler
-Air Marshal Al-Amin Daggash (retired), former Chief of Defence Staff
-Sir Shettima Kashim Ibrahim, former Minister for Social Services and Education and the first Nigerian Governor of the Northern Region
-Ibrahim Imam, Nigerian politician
-Shettima Ali Monguno, educationist, politician and former minister. He was kidnapped by Boko Haram in May 2013 but was later released.
-Mohammed Yusuf, founder of the Boko Haram sect
-Abubakar Shekau, current leader of the Boko Haram sect
-Zannah Sulloma Bukar Dipcharima, Nigerian politician and former transport minister
-Ahmed Khalifa Zanna, Nigerian senator
-Ali Ndume, Nigerian senator
-Hamza Al-Mustapha, major and former Chief Security Officer to General Abacha
-Habib Bama (Shuabu Bama, Habib Mamman), an ex-soldier and Boko Haram member
-Waziri Ibrahim, businessman and politician
-Baba Gana Kingibe, politician and former minister
-Adamu Ciroma, former minister of finance. Ciroma is specifically of the Bolewa tribe in Yobe State but the Bolewas are historically part of the old El-Kanemi Empire. Same goes for the Shuwa tribe where the late Major-General Mohammed Mamman Shuwa hailed from. Shuwa was assassinated by unknown gunmen in November 2012.
-Engineer Bunu Sheriff
-Senator Ali Modu Sheriff
-Kam Salem, former Inspector-General of Police
-Major-General Abba Kyari (retired)
-Colonel Kur Mohammed
-Alhaji Abba Habeeb
- Alhaji Muhammed Goni
-Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari
-Lt. Col. Abogo Largema
-Hajiya Ammuna Ali
-Alhaji Goni Aji, appointed Head of Service of the Federation
-Dr. Baba-Kura Kaigama
-Dr. Buka Shaib
-Professor Nuhu Alkali

Traditional Ruler/Head/Leader
-The paramount ruler of the Kanuris is the Shehu of Borno, the head of the Borno Emirate. The current head is Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

Language/Dialects/Subgroups
-There are various dialects and subgroups amongst the Kanuris. Some of these subgroups consider themselves to be non-Kanuris. These include the Mangari, Beri Beri, Bilma, Bla Bla and Tumari.
- The Kanuri language, which was derived from Kanembu, is the language of the Kanuri people. There are various dialects of the Kanuri language and these include Kanembu itself, Manga Kanuri (the speakers are called Mangari), Tumari Kanuri and Central Kanuri.
-For centuries, the Kanuri language has been written using the Ajami Arabic Script.

Interesting Things About The Kanuris

• The Kanuri people are also called Yerwa, Kanowri and Kanouri.
• The Kanuri people consider the Lake Chad to be the greatest blessing and gift from God to them. However, Lake Chad is now an ecological disaster waiting to happen as it has shrunk several times its original size.
• In other places, especially southeastern corner of Niger Republic, the Kanuris are also called the Beri Beri.
• In the 1950s, a movement of nationalists based in Bornu carved out areas of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon and they declared it to be theirs. They called it Greater Kanowra. The area they carved out for themselves was larger than half of Nigeria.
• The Borno-Yobe Peoples Forum is an umbrella body for the Kanuri people.

Livelihood/Culture/Cultural Practices and Tradition
-The Kanuris are mainly sedentary farmers who engage in farming, fishing (in the Lake Chad basin). They are also into various commercial activities and engage in the processing and trading of salt.
Religion/Religious Practices
-The Kanuris are predominantly Muslims of the Sunni Islam branch. Islam was introduced to the Kanem-Borno Empire in the 11^th century. Other faiths include Christianity and traditional African religions.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES

1. Eric Teniola, Boko Haram, the Nigerian Government and the Agony of the Kanuris, Premium Times, 1^st May, 2014.
   

 Gumsu Sani Abacha is the daughter of Nigeria’s late Kanuri leader, General Sani Abacha. Her name Gumsu means ‘Queen’ in Kanuri. Credits: Gumsu Sani Abacha.