Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has directed security agencies to arrest individuals wearing dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ security meeting held at the Government House on Tuesday, the governor said the hair of such persons should be cut and fines imposed on them.
“We will have zero tolerance for rascality. Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair, and fine him,” Bago declared.
“Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”
The meeting, attended by security operatives and traditional rulers, focused on clamping down on what the governor described as rising criminality and disorder in the state.
Bago also issued a stern warning to parents, urging them to caution their children as his administration would begin implementing stricter security policies.
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“Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire,” he said. “Also, any house found harbouring criminals should be demolished. Niger State is not for useless people.”
He also announced restrictions on the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles between 6pm and 6am in Minna, noting that only those being used for medical emergencies would be exempted.
The governor also directed traditional and community leaders, including district, village and ward heads, to ensure accurate documentation of all residents in their areas.