Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has directed security agencies to arrest and forcibly shave individuals wearing dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital, as part of new measures to address rising insecurity.
The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting on Tuesday at the Government House, where the governor announced a series of tough measures aimed at restoring law and order. Offenders will also be fined, although the exact amount was not disclosed.
Governor Bago said the move is part of a broader effort to instill discipline amid increasing incidents of thuggery and violent crime in the city.
“We will have zero tolerance for rascality,” he said. “Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine him. Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”
While the governor did not clarify how dreadlocks are linked to criminal activity, he suggested the hairstyle is associated with public disorder.
The meeting was attended by senior security officials and traditional rulers. Governor Bago also cautioned parents to take responsibility for their children’s behavior, warning that failure to do so could lead to consequences.
“Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire,” he said.
Other measures announced include the demolition of buildings found to be harboring criminals and a ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from operating between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., except in medical emergencies.
Additionally, traditional and community leaders have been directed to document all residents in their areas. Any local leader found to be shielding criminals will be arrested, the governor warned.
The governor’s pronouncements have drawn mixed reactions, with some residents applauding the firm stance on insecurity, while others have expressed concerns about potential human rights violations and profiling.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
