Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has ordered the immediate arrest and forced shaving of individuals wearing dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital, as part of a sweeping security crackdown aimed at curbing rising criminal activity.
The directive, issued during a high-level security meeting held Tuesday at the Government House, also includes fines for those caught with such hairstyles.
According to the governor, the decision is part of a broader effort to enforce discipline and restore order in the city, which has witnessed a surge in thuggery and violent crimes in recent months.
“We will have zero tolerance for rascality,” Governor Bago 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.”
The meeting, which was attended by top security operatives and traditional rulers, focused on addressing the growing insecurity in Minna. The governor did not specify how dreadlocks were linked to criminal activity but implied that the hairstyle was associated with social disorder.
Bago also issued a stern warning to parents, urging them to take responsibility for their children’s behavior or risk facing consequences.
“Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire,” he declared.
In addition to targeting hairstyles, the governor ordered that any building found to be sheltering criminals should be demolished. “Niger State is not for useless people,” he added.
Among other measures, Bago announced a ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from operating between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., citing their frequent use in criminal activities. Exceptions will only be made for medical emergencies.
The governor also tasked traditional and community leaders — including district, village, and ward heads — with documenting all residents in their jurisdictions. He warned that any local leader found to be harbouring or shielding criminals would face arrest.
The governor’s directives have sparked mixed reactions across the state, with some praising the tough stance on insecurity, while others have raised concerns about the potential for human rights violations and profiling.
Chioma Kalu
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