The Niger State Government has clarified that the executive order issued by Governor Mohammed Bago on the arrest of youths with dreadlocks specifically targets a group of young individuals identified by a particular hairstyle pattern linked to rising insecurity in Minna.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman, made this known on Friday, in a statement in which she said the aim is to dismantle the formation and spread of emerging groups before they become deeply rooted in the state.

Mamman said, “Niger State Government has on Friday reiterated its position to clamp down on nefarious youths groups with distinct hairstyles causing mayhem in parts of Minna, the State Capital.

“In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, the Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s executive order still stands; however, it will only affect those who wear dreadlocks in front while the back of their heads is shaved.

“It should be noted that Governor Bago had given a marching order to security agencies that henceforth any youth who carries dreadlocks be arrested and his hair barbed.”

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

“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 commissioner reiterated that the curfew imposed by Bago was not intended to cause any sort of hardship, saying the dusk-to-dawn curfew was not applicable to everyone but motorcycle riders and tricycle operators.

“The government fully understands the temporary measure this decision may pose to Nigerlites and hardworking Nigerians who go about their legitimate businesses,” she said.

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.

She said, “Governor Bago is concerned about the safety of lives and property and that it remains the topmost priority of his administration.

“It is saddening to see that for some time now, we have experienced maiming, and 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 arrests difficult but also enables the rapid spread of their operations.” (The PUNCH)