BASSA, district of Northern Nigeria, occupying the angle made by the meeting of the Benue river with the Niger. It lies south of the Benue and east of the Niger. It is heavily forested, and has not been penetrated by Moslem influence. The Bassas are a remarkable pagan race who are to be found in small colonies in almost every province of Northern Nigeria. They are clever agriculturists, naturally peaceful and industrious. Other tribes of the district, the Munshi and the Okpoto, are of a turbulent and warlike disposition. In 1903 the murder of the British resident led to punitive measures, and finally to the full establishment of British authority and the suppression of the slave trade. At first a separate province, Bassa is now part of Kabba province.