By Seyi Babalola
Umar Bago, the governor of Niger State, has reversed his controversial directive to arrest people with dreadlocks.
The governor had previously ordered security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks, linking the hairstyle to cult-related activities and insecurity, especially in Minna, the state capital.
“Rascality in Minna anybody that you find with a dreadlock arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment is fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.
In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of a broader crackdown on violent crimes.
He also threatened to destroy any house discovered to be housing criminals or drug traffickers, emphasising that his government will “apply maximum force to restore order.”
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The governor’s early remarks, notably the one targeting those with dreadlocks, provoked widespread condemnation on social media and from members of the public, who accused him of encouraging prejudice and lacking a thorough understanding of successful crime-fighting techniques.
Responding to the outrage, Bago clarified his position on Wednesday during an event in Minna, where he declared the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks. So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.
He went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda,” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.
He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Bago maintained that law-abiding citizens are not under threat, stating the crackdown is solely aimed at criminal elements who use cult symbols, including dreadlocks, to mask their activities and evade law enforcement.