GOVERNOR BAGO REVERSES DREADLOCKS CRACKDOWN AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has rescinded a controversial directive that called for the arrest and punishment of residents sporting dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital. The decision follows widespread criticism from civil society groups, human rights advocates, and members of the public who described the order as a violation of personal freedoms.
At a security stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, April 22, the governor had instructed security operatives to arrest individuals with dreadlocks, cut their hair, and impose fines—labeling such hairstyles as “unacceptable” within the capital. The move sparked immediate backlash, with many decrying it as an overreach of executive power.
In a swift response to the criticism, Governor Bago addressed the public on Wednesday, April 23, clarifying his stance. He denied harboring any general hostility toward individuals with dreadlocks, stating that his comments were motivated by concerns about criminal activities linked to certain individuals—not a blanket judgment against a hairstyle.
The reversal has been welcomed by rights groups as a step back from discriminatory enforcement and a reminder of the importance of upholding personal liberties.
WATCH VIDEO:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIy9I_Po3Jt/?igsh=ZWdsd2NyYzdsaTV4
