Public Outrage in Minna as Police Allegedly Extort, Assault Visitors Over Dreadlocks

Public Outrage in Minna as Police Allegedly Extort, Assault Visitors Over Dreadlocks

Allegations of harassment and extortion by policemen stationed at checkpoints in Minna, the Niger State capital, have triggered public outrage, following reports that travelers were targeted for their hairstyles and forced to pay bribes.

Despite Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s earlier clarification that hair-related directives were not meant for visitors or legitimate business persons, several individuals have reported disturbing experiences.

One such victim, Wisdom Jonathan, a photographer, recounted how he and two colleagues were stopped at the Pogo checkpoint upon their arrival in Minna. He alleged that officers cut his colleagues’ hair and fined them N2,000 each.

Jonathan claimed he was assaulted with a fan belt when he attempted to explain that they were in the state for work purposes.

“When we were coming into Minna, we were stopped at the police checkpoint around Pogo and they told the other two men I was with to open their cap, they did. One has punk and the other one had dreadlocks. They said they will have to cut their hair as it was now the law. I went to them and told them that we are coming to work in Minna and we are not living in Minna.

“The policemen said that they must cut the hair as they were under the order to cut any dreadlock or unruly hair. We crossed together but they told me to go back, they tried to send me back but when I refused, they brought out fan belt and started hitting me with it that I am trying to stop them from doing their job. I was trying to be careful to ensure that the men I brought with me for the work return back safely.

“They took my colleagues to the bush and told them that they have to pay fine of N2,000. They gave them their Opay account and one of the men transferred N2,000 to the officer and the other man gave N2,000 cash.”

In response, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command will investigate the matter.

“We will verify, investigate and ascertain the personnel involved for further necessary action,” he stated.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, also reacted, emphasizing that the directive concerning hairstyles was never intended as a blanket policy against all youth or travelers.

“This is not a blanket criminalization 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.

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“With intelligence reports, this particular dreadlocks style has increasingly become associated with members of these groups.”

However, there was no mention in her statement of fines being sanctioned by the government, raising questions about the alleged extortion by officers.

As the backlash grows, both state authorities and police have promised to take action. The public continues to demand accountability and transparency regarding the treatment of innocent travelers entering the state.