Three security personnel arrested as Kano gov’s wife files for divorce
Three security personnel attached to Zainab, wife of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, have reportedly been arrested following her departure from the governor’s residence amid a divorce dispute that has now reached an Abuja court.
The reported arrests have added another dimension to the unfolding marital crisis, with questions emerging over the circumstances surrounding Zainab’s departure and the involvement of the security personnel assigned to her.
Zainab, daughter of former Kano State Governor and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has approached an Upper Area Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, seeking the dissolution of her marriage to Yusuf after approximately 20 years together.
The divorce suit, registered as CV/97/26, has reportedly resulted in a court summons directing the governor to appear on Tuesday, November 17.
A member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the political group associated with Kwankwaso, confirmed the divorce proceedings to Sunday PUNCH, disclosing that Zainab had moved out of her husband’s residence about three weeks earlier.
“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,” the source said.
The source explained that Zainab had been based in Abuja and only visited Kano occasionally before leaving her husband’s residence.
Asked about the reported arrest of the three security personnel, the Kwankwasiyya member confirmed awareness of the development but provided no further details.
However, the reported arrests and the circumstances surrounding them could not be independently verified.
When contacted, Kano State Police Command spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, declined to comment, saying the matter was already before a court.
“We cannot comment on the issue because it is already before a court of law,” Kiyawa said.
He added that the command, as a responsible institution, would not discuss matters pending before the courts.
Efforts to obtain the Kano State Government’s position were also unsuccessful, as Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, did not respond to calls seeking his reaction.
The marital dispute comes against the backdrop of a political fallout between Governor Yusuf and his former political ally and father-in-law, Kwankwaso.
Yusuf, who became governor in 2023 with Kwankwaso’s political backing under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, later defected to the All Progressives Congress, leading to a breakdown in their political relationship.
The development has attracted attention because of the political connections between both families. However, no direct link has been established between the political disagreement and the reasons behind Zainab’s decision to seek a divorce.
The court proceedings are expected to provide further clarity on the couple’s marital dispute, while the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest of the security personnel remain unclear.