Wife of Chadian terrorist leader arrested in Kano reveals other side of her wanted husband
A Chadian terrorist’s wife has revealed shocking details about her husband’s secret life, which he managed to keep hidden from her throughout their marriage.
The woman, whose name has been withheld, was paraded alongside two associates of her husband, Ahmad Adam Abba, at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano by the Kano State Police Command.
Abba, who is on the wanted list, had deceived her into believing he was a trader. However, she began to suspect something was wrong after an incident with the Nigerian Immigration Service during his passport renewal.
According to The Vanguard, her suspicions grew stronger when he returned home late one night with a large sum of money in Chadian currency. She also noticed that he frequently held secret meetings at his elder brother Bushara’s house rather than at their home, leaving her unaware of his true activities.
She realised the severity of the situation only after her husband was declared wanted by the authorities. One incident stood out in her memory; Abba rushed into their house, took some documents and cash, and left hastily, promising to call her later but never did.
She had not noticed anything unusual in their marriage until several incidents occurred, including when the Nigerian Immigration arrested them during their passport renewal and later when they were accused of killing people.
Abba had kept many secrets from her. She only became suspicious when he travelled to Chad and returned at midnight. The next morning, she discovered a sack bag filled with Chadian currency, which he handed to her. Later that day, she saw him with strangers having breakfast in their house.
The men stepped outside one after another, talking at the gate. She remained unaware of what was happening until he later returned to collect the money he had left with her, placing some of it in their wardrobe before his friends departed. That same day, an Almajiri boy who worked in their house informed her about suspicious activities at Bushara’s house, where her husband’s friends were seen running.
While she was plaiting her hair, Abba suddenly rushed into the house, grabbed some documents and cash, and left in a hurry. She followed him to the gate, where he promised to call her before disappearing. It was then that she remembered the Almajiri boy’s warning. Fear took over, and she started crying. Since that day, she had not heard from him except through his brother, Bushara, who relayed information through a neighbour.
Throughout their marriage, she said her husband had always claimed to be a trader. Even when they asked his relatives, they confirmed the same story. Despite questioning him about his business, he always gave vague answers.
“He told me he was a trader. We also asked many of his people and they told us the same thing. They said he was tradeing in Chad. I usually interrogate him to know more about his trade or business, but he would often tell me same story,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience, she advised parents to thoroughly investigate any potential suitor before marrying off their daughters. She revealed that she had suffered two miscarriages while they were together.
Her revelations came just days after the police issued a security alert in Kano, warning residents to avoid large gatherings ahead of the National Tijjaniyya programme due to intelligence reports of a planned terrorist attack.
Shortly after the warning, the police arrested one suspect and recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). They later arrested three of Abba’s associates, including his wife. Investigations revealed that Abba, who had allegedly killed 17 people in Chad before relocating to Kano to hide and possibly plan another attack, was spotted at the Tijjaniyya programme venue. However, sensing danger, he fled to Cameroon.
