Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his earlier directive ordering the arrest and fining of individuals with dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital. During a stakeholders’ security meeting on Tuesday, Bago had instructed security operatives to apprehend anyone wearing dreadlocks, shave off their hair, and impose fines, stating, “Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna.”
However, the governor’s comments sparked widespread backlash from Nigerians, prompting him to clarify his stance the following day. In a statement on Wednesday, Bago distanced himself from the controversial order, saying his remarks were misunderstood and that the government has no issue with people wearing dreadlocks.
He explained that the target of his earlier directive was not individuals with dreadlocks generally, but rather criminal groups allegedly associated with that appearance. “We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks,” he said. Bago went on to encourage investors and business owners, including those with dreadlocks, to feel welcome in Niger State, calling the controversy “media propaganda
