Kano gov’s wife divorce saga sparks arrests

File photo: Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf

The divorce crisis between Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and his wife, Zainab, has reportedly led to the arrest of three security personnel attached to the governor’s wife.

It was learnt that the arrests followed Zainab’s departure from her husband’s residence amid the breakdown of their marriage, which has now resulted in a divorce suit before an Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja.

Daily Nigerian had reported that Zainab, who is the daughter of the governor’s predecessor and estranged political ally, Rabiu Kwankwaso, filed the suit, registered as CV/97/26, about 20 years after their marriage.

A member of Kwankwaso’s political group, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, confirmed the divorce proceedings to Sunday PUNCH, saying Yusuf had been summoned to appear before the court on Tuesday, November 17.

“Yes, it is true. The woman has moved out of her husband’s house and the governor has been asked to appear before the court on November 17. The reason for her divorce is known to her; I don’t want to insinuate.

“She was based in Abuja; she occasionally visited Kano. But I was told she had moved out of her husband’s house about three weeks ago,” he said.

Asked about the arrest of the security personnel, the Kwankwaso ally responded, “yes, I am aware.”

However, our correspondent could not independently verify the arrest and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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When contacted, the Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, declined to comment on the matter, saying the case was before a court.

“We cannot comment on the issue because it is already before a court of law,” Kiyawa said.

He added, “As a responsible institution, the command does not discuss issues that are pending before the courts.”

Efforts to obtain the state government’s reaction were unsuccessful, as the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, did not respond to calls seeking his comment.

The development comes amid the political rift between Yusuf and Kwankwaso, who fell out following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress.