The daughter of the late Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Ado Bayero, Princess Zainab J. Ado Bayero, has raised alarm over an alleged hostage situation involving her family in Lagos.
The filmmaker and feminist told Vanguard that her mother and brother, Ahmed Tijjani Ado Bayero, were being held in a hotel in Lagos as of December 8, 2024.
The Kano princess, known for her vocal advocacy for women’s rights and social justice, has been in the spotlight recently, not just for her professional endeavours but also for her personal family crisis. She said the issues, which she claims began after her father’s death, have escalated.
Princess Zainab described herself as a passionate writer and activist committed to creating a better future. She has previously spoken openly about her challenges navigating life after her father’s passing and the family dynamics that have unfolded since.
She said, “As a woman and a feminist I’m just so shocked that I have been ignored by my country. We accuse countries like South Africa of xenophobia but what about the tribalism, hate and bigotry in our own country?
“For a day, we were held hostage due to a hotel debt, because we have no home. My brother is depressed and miserable. Why won’t anyone care about this? I recently read that Muslim women in Afghanistan have no rights to speak in public anymore. That’s my crime; I am speaking up as a Muslim from the kano emirate. I’ve committed treason and my mom is not northern either.”
Zainab stated further that “As a woman and citizen, I’m asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is it right that I’m being abused by members of the kano emirate? These men believed to be the custodians of Kano are taking my rights as well as that of my brother and my mom.
“Mr. President, it’s your duty to protect our rights as citizens. You need to protect the rights of every Nigerian citizen including me, my mom and my brother. I have been judged for being half southern and half northern and for being a woman challenging the norms of a patriarchal society. We are part of the Royal Emirate of Kano and this is just a Greek tragedy. Why is it okay to be tortured? Do we need to die because my father’s sons believe we don’t deserve to exist?”
She then seized the opportunity to appeal to the Governor of Kano State to use his power as governor and end their misery.
“I’m also appealing to the governor of Kano who is also a family member and the father of the people of Kano, to end this pain. I need to believe that in his heart, he wants to end this. I don’t know what’s going on, but I believe he should give myself and my brother Ahmed Tijjani the opportunity to see him one on one and explain our predicament to him,” she stated.