After receiving a lot of criticism from the public and human rights activists, Niger State Governor Umar Bago has revoked his contentious order to arrest those wearing dreadlocks.
The governor had previously ordered security forces to detain anyone spotted sporting dreadlocks throughout the state, attributing the hairdo to an increase in cult-related activities and unrest, especially in the state capital of Minna.
Anyone with a dreadlock that you come across in Minna should be arrested and have his hair trimmed. It’s fire for fire from now on. Bago had stated in a public speech that “any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State.”
As part of a larger crackdown on violent crimes, Bago also issued a 12-hour daily limit on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, prohibiting their activities from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
In addition, he stressed that his administration would “apply maximum force to restore order” and threatened to demolish any home discovered to be providing sanctuary to criminals or drug dealers.
The governor was criticized of encouraging prejudice and not having a good understanding of efficient crime-fighting tactics by the public and on social media for the first remarks, especially the one that targeted those with dreadlocks.
Responding to the outrage, Bago clarified his position on Wednesday during an event in Minna, where he declared 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 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,” Bago said.
He went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda,” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.
He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Bago maintained that law-abiding citizens are not under threat, stating the crackdown is solely aimed at criminal elements who use cult symbols, including dreadlocks, to mask their activities and evade law enforcement.
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