Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has ordered the arrest and fining of individuals with dreadlocks in Minna, labeling it a crackdown on “rascality.”
Governor Umar Bago has directed security agencies to arrest individuals wearing dreadlocks in Minna, labeling the hairstyle as a symbol of “rascality.”
During a security stakeholders’ meeting on April 22, Bago issued a stern warning:
“We will have zero tolerance for rascality. Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine him.”
He further emphasized: “Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”
The governor also announced a curfew on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., permitting operations only for medical emergencies.
Additionally, Bago instructed that any house found harboring criminals would be demolished and tasked traditional leaders with documenting residents to enhance community surveillance. “Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire,” he declared.