The rulers of Biu are numbered from Abdullahi, later known as
Yamta-ra-Wala or Yamta the Great, who established his rule about 1535. Around 1670, in the reign of Mari Watila Tampta, it became known as a kingdom. The main ethnic group is the
Babur/Bura people, related to the
Kanuri people. The founder was said to have come from elsewhere, captured the main town in the area, then founded a new capital in Dlimbur, which is now an archaeological site. His descendants formed two rival dynasties, one at
Kogu and the other in nearby
Mandaragirau. King Mari Watirwa (r. 1793–1838) of Kogu defeated Fulani invaders from the
Gombe Emirate to the west. In 1878 Mari Biya, became the first
Bura king to rule from Biu. The emir's palace is now situated in the town. Until recently, the Biu Emirate was one of three in
Borno State, the others being the
Borno Emirate and the
Dikwa Emirate. In March 2010 the Borno State Governor
Ali Modu Sheriff split the old Dikwa Emirate into the new Bama and Dikwa Emirates. This triggered petitions from the people of Hawul, Kwaya Kusar and Bayo to also have separate chiefdoms, which the governor had stated he would do "if the need arises". ==Rulers==