Niger State Governor Umar Bago has sparked controversy after ordering the arrest of individuals wearing dreadlocks within the state capital, Minna.
The directive came during a high-level security meeting held on Tuesday at the Government House, where the governor laid out a new set of rules aimed at curbing what he described as increasing disorder and crime in the state.
The meeting brought together security operatives, traditional rulers, and key community leaders. Governor Bago expressed his dissatisfaction with what he called the growing display of “rascality” and directed law enforcement agencies to take immediate action.
“We will have zero tolerance for rascality. Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine him,” he said firmly. “Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”
The governor’s order not only targets hairstyles but also sets the tone for a broader security operation. He issued a stern message to parents, asking them to warn their children ahead of what he described as a strict enforcement phase.
“Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire,” Bago declared.
Additionally, Bago announced that any building found to be sheltering suspected criminals would be demolished, adding that Niger State would not tolerate lawlessness.
“Any house found harbouring criminals should be demolished. Niger State is not for useless people,” he added.
Further security measures were also introduced. Commercial motorcycles and tricycles, popularly known as okada and keke, have been banned from operating between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., with the only exception being emergencies involving medical care.
The governor also tasked traditional and grassroots leaders—including ward, village, and district heads—with compiling accurate records of everyone living in their communities. This move, he noted, is intended to help security agencies track down potential troublemakers and prevent the spread of crime across neighborhoods.
