Governor Orders Crackdown on Dreadlocks in Niger State

The Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has directed security agencies to arrest individuals with dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital, and forcibly shave their hair and impose fines on them.

The governor issued the directive during a high-level stakeholders’ security meeting at the Government House on Tuesday.

“We will have zero tolerance for rascality. Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine him,” Bago declared. “Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”

The meeting focused on clamping down on rising criminality and disorder in the state. Governor Bago also warned parents to caution their children, stating that his administration would implement stricter security policies. “Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire,” he said. “Also, any house found harbouring criminals should be demolished. Niger State is not for useless people.”

The governor also announced restrictions on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning them from operating between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for emergency medical purposes. He also directed traditional and community leaders to ensure accurate documentation of all residents in their areas.