Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has retracted an earlier directive that called for the arrest and punishment of individuals sporting dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital, following significant public outcry.
During a stakeholders’ security meeting at the government house on Tuesday, April 22, Bago had ordered security personnel to detain residents with dreadlocks, cut their hair, and levy fines. He had stressed a strict crackdown on what he described as “unacceptable haircuts” in the state capital, urging security agencies to act immediately.
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“Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine the person. Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies,” the governor had said.
The remarks drew widespread criticism from civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and members of the public, who condemned the order as an infringement on personal liberties and an abuse of executive authority.
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In response to the public outcry, Governor Bago addressed the issue in a statement on Wednesday, April 23. He clarified that he held no general animosity toward individuals with dreadlocks, explaining that his earlier comments were motivated by concerns over reports of criminal elements allegedly using dreadlocks to conceal cult-related affiliations.
Yesterday we read the riot act on hooliganism and people misunderstood our words for people who have dreadlocks,” he said. “We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks. So if you have any business and you have dreadlocks, please come to Niger State. All that is media propaganda.
The governor also took the opportunity to welcome investors and professionals to the state, stressing that it remains inclusive and open to everyone, regardless of their personal appearance.
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