By Abiola Olawale
In a controversial development, it appears several Nigerian and global celebrities, including Burnaboy, Jay-Z, Victor Moses, Timaya, Solidstar, and Rema, among a host of others, are no longer welcome in Niger State.
This is as Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has ordered the arrest of people with dreadlocks in Minna, the state capital.This directive effectively targets individuals with dreadlocks, including high-profile celebrities such as Burna Boy, Jay-Z, Faze, Victor Moses, Timaya, Solidstar, and Rema.
The governor issued this directive during a high-level stakeholders’ security meeting held at the Government House on Tuesday.
He declared: “We will have zero tolerance for rascality. Anybody that you find with dreadlocks, arrest, barb the hair and fine him.
“Nobody should carry any kind of haircut inside Minna. I have given marching orders to security agencies.”
The Governor also urged parents to caution their children, saying the government would begin implementing stricter security measures.
He continued: “Parents should warn their children. From this moment, it’s 100% fire-for-fire.
“Also, any house found harbouring criminals should be demolished. Niger State is not for useless people.”
The Governor’s directive has sparked widespread debates, particularly as it appears to target a broad spectrum of individuals, including prominent entertainers who go from state to state to perform for their fans and well-wishers.
This decision also comes amidst rising insecurity cases in the Northern part of Nigeria.
According to reports, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to violent attacks in the past two weeks, with recent incidents including a deadly shooting in Benue State claiming 56 lives and a landmine explosion in Borno killing eight.
