The arrests were said to have occurred after Zainab reportedly moved out of her husband’s residence amid the marital crisis, which has culminated in a divorce suit before an Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja.
According to reports, Zainab, daughter of the governor’s predecessor and estranged political ally, Rabiu Kwankwaso, instituted the divorce proceedings in a case registered as CV/97/26, nearly 20 years after their marriage.
A member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Kwankwaso’s political group, confirmed the court proceedings to Sunday PUNCH, disclosing that the governor 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,” the source said.
The source added that Zainab was primarily based in Abuja and only visited Kano occasionally. He claimed she moved out of the governor’s residence about three weeks ago.
Asked about the reported arrest of the security personnel, the Kwankwasiyya member confirmed his awareness of the development.
However, the reported arrests and the circumstances surrounding them could not be independently verified.
When contacted, the Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, declined to comment, citing the fact that the matter was already before a court.
“We cannot comment on the issue because it is already before a court of law,” he said.
Kiyawa added that the command, as a responsible institution, would not discuss matters pending before the judiciary.
Efforts to obtain the Kano State Government’s position were unsuccessful, as the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, did not respond to calls seeking his reaction.
The marital crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of the growing political disagreement between Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso, who fell out following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection reportedly deepened the political rift between the two men, who were previously close political allies.
