MINNA, Nigeria – Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has backtracked on his controversial directive to security operatives to arrest individuals with dreadlocks, which had sparked widespread criticism.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Governor Bago, speaking at a security stakeholders’ meeting, had issued the directive, instructing security agencies to arrest residents with dreadlocks, cut their hair, and impose fines.
He said, “Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine the person. Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”
However, the governor’s comments were met with backlash from Nigerians, many of whom saw the directive as discriminatory.
Critics expressed concern over the potential targeting of individuals based on their appearance, particularly given the cultural and religious significance of dreadlocks for many people.
Responding to the uproar, Governor Bago issued a clarification on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, stating that his initial words had been misunderstood.
In a follow-up statement, he explained that his concerns were not about people with dreadlocks in general, but specifically about cult groups using the hairstyle as part of their identity.
“We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks. So, if you have any business and you have dreadlocks, please come to Niger State. All that is media propaganda,” the governor said, urging potential investors to feel welcome in the state regardless of their hairstyle.
The retraction marks a quick reversal of the governor’s initial stance, but it also highlights the ongoing tensions in the region regarding security and public safety.
Many continue to question how such measures would have been implemented fairly, with fears that they could lead to arbitrary targeting of certain individuals.
Governor Bago’s retraction appears to have calmed some of the outrage, but the episode serves as a reminder of the challenges local governments face in balancing security measures with the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
The governor’s latest remarks have been met with a more measured response, as he reiterated his commitment to maintaining security while fostering a welcoming environment for businesses and residents alike.
