Abiga was the only non-Hausa who reigned as Maigari of Lokoja. He was a Margi by origin from the present Yobe State,who was liberated from slavery at Kuka in 1848, by the
Barth expedition. Abiga also served Baikie as an interpreter.
Abiga like Jacob Maux,(Maigari Musa)was a Christian known as Frederick Buxton Abiga, he converted to Islam when he was made Maigari of Lokoja and that was also when changed his name. According to our source, Abiga’s tenure or reign was said to be unstable when compared to his predecessor,Musa Maigari.
Abiga was dethroned two times and reinstated twice and reinstated same. Bukar Abiga was the first to be graded and presented with a staff of office by the colonial masters in November,1905. As second class chief,Abiga was placed on £5 monthly salary.
Abiga’s closes allies were Hausa hunters whom he accommodate in his residence and also encourage them to stay in Lokoja.He was himself a hunter, popularly known as Bukar (Kanuri; substitute Abubakar.)
Added to the close association which Abiga maintained with the Hausa hunters was the fact that he even gave his daughter one, Salamatu in marriage to a Hausa man known as Yarima Abdu from Jega or Gwaudu in present kebbi state .The significance of all this is that although Abiga was a Margi by tribe, he practically identified himself with the Hausas.