Niger governor makes U-turn, withdraws dreadlocks arrest order following public backlash
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has made a U-turn on his earlier directive targeting individuals with dreadlocks after facing widespread condemnation from the public and human rights groups.
The original order, which called for the arrest and forcible haircutting of individuals wearing dreadlocks, was linked to rising insecurity and cult-related violence in Minna, the state capital.
Bago had publicly declared, “Rascality in Minna, anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it’s fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” during a public address.
This controversial stance quickly sparked outrage on social media and among civil rights advocates, many of whom criticized it as discriminatory and an ineffective approach to addressing crime.
In addition to the dreadlocks directive, the governor also implemented new security measures, including a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 6 pm to 6 am.
He also issued a stern warning that any property found to harbor criminals or drug dealers would face demolition.
In response to mounting criticism, Governor Bago clarified his position during an event in Minna on Wednesday.
He explained that his remarks had been misunderstood and emphasized that his administration does not have an issue with dreadlocks as a hairstyle.
“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words as targeting people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here that uses dreadlocks. So, if you have dreadlocks and you’re doing business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.
The governor dismissed the backlash as “media propaganda” and emphasized that the state’s efforts are focused on dismantling criminal groups operating under the guise of cultism.
“We are only targeting that cult which is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you,” Bago added.
He assured that law-abiding citizens are not under threat, stressing that the crackdown is aimed solely at criminal elements who use cult symbols, including dreadlocks, to conceal their activities and evade law enforcement.
