Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his earlier order directing security agents to arrest individuals with dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital, following widespread backlash from the public.
The governor had initially stirred controversy during a stakeholders’ security meeting on Tuesday when he said:
“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 directive sparked an uproar on social media and among rights advocates, with many accusing the governor of enforcing discriminatory practices and failing to address the real roots of crime.
Reacting to the backlash, Bago made a U-turn on Wednesday during a public event in Minna, where he attempted to clarify his stance:
“Yesterday, we read a Riot Act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks. So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State.”
He further downplayed the outrage, describing it as: “Media propaganda.”
The governor maintained that the enforcement was not against fashion or hairstyles, but rather aimed at tackling criminal elements using cult identities and appearances to mask their actions:
“We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Governor Bago insisted that law-abiding citizens—regardless of their hairstyles—have nothing to fear, as the government’s target remains criminal groups threatening peace in the state.