Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago’s executive order on those who wear dreadlocks in front while the back of their heads is shaved still stands.

According to a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman and issued to newsmen in Minna,said Governor Bago had given a marching order to security agencies that henceforth, any youth that carries dreadlocks be arrested and his hairs barbed.

Recalled that the Niger State Government has reiterated its position to clamp down on nefarious youth groups with distinct hairstyles causing mayhem in the parts of Minna,the state capital.

The Commissioner added: “This is not a blanket criminalization of hairstyles, but a preventive measure informed by intelligence and ongoing trends. The aim was to dismantle the formation and spread of these emerging groups before they become deeply rooted in the state,” she said.

The statement stressed: “The government has observed a disturbing trend among some youth groups where a distinct hairstyle that appears to be evolving into a form of group identity or cultism.

“The defaulters that will be arrested are those who wear certain dreadlocks in front,while the back of their heads are shaved.

“The security agencies know them because they walk in droves”.”With intelligence reports, this particular dreadlocks style has increasingly become associated with members of these groups.”

The statement had clarified that the dusk to dawn curfew was not applicable to everyone but commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators, and it was not intended to cause any sort of hardship,

“The government fully understands the hardship this temporary measure may pose to the people of the state and hardworking Nigerians who go about their legitimate businesses,” she add.

She further reassured Nigerlites that the government is taking proactive measures to address the growing insecurity that has affected parts of the state capital in recent days.

“It is saddened to see that for some time now, we have experienced maiming, violent attacks, with several lives lost to attacks by these miscreants who operate at will brandishing various dangerous weapons in a manner akin to cult groups.

“I tell you without mincing words that these groups are young boys who are between the ages of 13 and 22 and they exploited the ease of movement provided by motorcycles and tricycles to commit crimes across various parts of Minna and evade arrest.

“If these boys are not restricted, they can carry out criminal activities in one part of town and vanish into another within minutes. Their swift mobility not only makes arrest difficult but also enables the rapid spread of their operations.” she said.