Politics
Governor Bago Reverses Dreadlocks Arrest Order After Public Backlash
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has rescinded his earlier directive ordering the arrest of individuals wearing dreadlocks, following widespread public condemnation and criticism from civil rights groups.
The governor’s initial order, which linked dreadlocks to cultism and insecurity in the state capital, Minna, had sparked outrage across social media platforms, with many Nigerians accusing him of stereotyping and targeting innocent citizens based on their appearance.
During a recent public address, Bago had declared:
“Rascality in Minna — anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it is fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State.”
The governor had also announced other tough security measures, including a nightly curfew on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. He warned that any house found to be harboring criminals or drug peddlers would be demolished, vowing to use “maximum force to restore order.”
However, in the face of mounting criticism, Governor Bago clarified his stance on Wednesday during an event in Minna, where he also announced 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 as targeting those with dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks — our concern is with the cultists who wear them to disguise criminal activities. If you have dreadlocks and you’re a legitimate person doing business, you are welcome in Niger State,” the governor said.
He dismissed the criticism as “media propaganda,” emphasizing that his administration’s security crackdown is focused strictly on criminal elements using cult symbols and not on law-abiding citizens.
“We are only going after the cult groups that are becoming a threat to safety in Niger State,” Bago added. “Our aim is to secure the state, not to harass innocent people.”
Governor Bago’s clarification has somewhat eased public tension, though many are still calling for more thoughtful and inclusive security strategies that respect individual rights and cultural expressions.
