Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has sparked nationwide outrage after directing security agencies to arrest individuals wearing dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital.
The governor issued the controversial order during a stakeholders’ security meeting held at the Government House on Tuesday, April 22.
According to Governor Bago, anyone found with dreadlocks should be apprehended, have their hair cut, and be fined.
“We will have zero tolerance for rascality. 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,” he declared.
Governor Bago further urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s behavior, warning that the state would now adopt a stricter and more aggressive stance on security enforcement.
The directive has drawn widespread criticism, especially on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where Nigerians are expressing strong opposition and concern over the implications for personal freedoms and human rights.
Stay tuned for more updates and public responses to this developing story.
