The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity, particularly the rising threat posed by youth groups distinguished by a unique hairstyle pattern, in Minna, the state capital.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, the government clarified that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s executive order remained in effect, specifically targeting individuals who wear dreadlocks in the front while the back of their heads is shaved.
Governor Bago had earlier directed security agencies to apprehend youths sporting this hairstyle and ensure their hair is cut as part of efforts to dismantle the growing network of violent groups.
“This is not a blanket ban on hairstyles,” Hon. Mamman emphasized. “It is a targeted, preventive action informed by intelligence reports and prevailing security concerns. The aim is to disrupt the emergence of these cult-like groups before they become deeply rooted in the state.”
She explained that security agencies have identified a troubling pattern where young people adopt the hairstyle as a marker of group identity, with intelligence linking the trend to organized criminal activities.
“The individuals of concern are those wearing dreadlocks in front while the back is shaved. They usually move in groups, making them easily identifiable,” she said.
Hon. Mamman further clarified that the dusk-to-dawn curfew recently announced by Governor Bago applied only to motorcycle and tricycle operators, not to the general public, emphasizing that the measure is aimed at restricting the mobility of criminal elements.
“The government recognizes the inconvenience this may pose to hardworking Nigerlites, but it is a necessary step to safeguard lives and property,” she noted.
Addressing the wider security concerns, Hon. Mamman lamented the recent surge in violent attacks, maiming, and killings across Minna, perpetrated by youths aged between 13 and 22, who exploit motorcycles and tricycles to commit crimes and escape swiftly.
“If left unchecked, these groups can wreak havoc in one part of the city and vanish to another within minutes, complicating efforts by security operatives to apprehend them,” she stated.
She assured that security agencies have been instructed to monitor individuals fitting the description closely and take decisive action where necessary.
Appealing for public understanding and cooperation, Hon. Mamman stressed that, “This is not a punitive action but a deliberate move to preserve peace and protect the lives of law-abiding citizens. If these elements are not curtailed now, they will only grow bolder and more dangerous.”
