The governor of Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, has retracted his speech regarding the apprehension of anyone seen with dreadlocks in Niger State.
The People’s Insight gathered that netizens had flooded the governor’s timeline with disparaging statements, citing that dreadlocks are a simple hairdo and fashion statement for many.
The governor gave a directive on Tuesday regarding the arrest of anyone with dreadlocks. According to him, the hairstyle has an affiliation with the rising insecurity issues and cult activities happening in the state.
Folks have, however, faulted his decision, citing that his action was a result of misplaced priorities and a lack of knowledge on tackling insecurity.
However, speaking in Minna on Wednesday during the declaration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the governor reiterated that his statement on the crackdown on dreadlocks was greatly misinterpreted, as the arrests were targeted towards gang members with dreadlocks and not business owners who wear the hairstyle for fashion purposes.
Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks,โ he said.
โWe don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks. So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State.โ
โAll that is media propaganda. We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.โ
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