NIGER State Governor Umar Bago has reversed his directive regarding the arrest of people with dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ security meeting on Tuesday, the governor had directed security operatives to arrest individuals with dreadlocks, cut their hair, and impose fines.

The order sparked widespread reactions across social media and among civil rights advocates, who viewed the directive as discriminatory.

In a swift reversal on Wednesday, April 23,  Bago clarified that the directive was not intended to target hairstyles generally, but rather to address security concerns related to cult activity in the state.

“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism and people misunderstood our words for people who have dreadlocks,” he said.

He added, “We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks.”

He also used the opportunity to encourage investors to consider state as a business destination, emphasising that the state remained open to all.