Rastafari community slams Gov Bago over “insensitive” dreadlocks remarks, order

The Nigerian Rastafari community has criticized Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, over his recent directive ordering the arrest, fining, and forceful shaving of citizens wearing dreadlocks.

They described the comments as “insensitive,” “draconian,” and “historically blind.”

In a statement signed by HonouRebel Myke Pam, Chairman of the Rastafari Continental Council (RCC) Nigeria Ital Yard, the community condemned the governor's action, accusing him of chasing shadows instead of addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing the state.

“In a country where the monthly minimum wage cannot buy you a 50kg bag of rice, talk more of feeding, hospital, school and transportation bills for a family of four, a state governor has the temerity to profile and condemn all dreadlocks wearing citizens,” the statement read.

“This is both saddening, insensitive and totally condemnable.”

A video that surfaced online earlier this week showed Governor Bago instructing security operatives to arrest and forcibly shave individuals wearing dreadlocks across Niger State.

The directive has sparked outrage, particularly among cultural and religious groups who see the order as a gross violation of fundamental rights.

The Rastafari council likened the governor’s actions to policies reminiscent of apartheid-era South Africa.

“The video of Mr. Bago directing security operatives in his state to arrest, fine and shave the locks off all dreadlocks they encounter is akin to asking his operatives to kill and maim his citizens and residents that he swore an oath to protect,” the RCC stated.

Highlighting the dire state of insecurity, poverty, and educational decline in Niger State, the group accused the governor of neglecting urgent governance issues while targeting innocent citizens.

“Instead of working hard to elevate the living standards of the suffering people of his state, who are constantly under the murderous rampage of armed terrorists and blood-gurgling marauders, this obviously failed state executive is rather fishing in muddy waters,” it said.

The Rastafari Community emphasized that dreadlocks are deeply spiritual and historical, pointing out that the governor’s comments reveal a worrying level of ignorance about cultural and religious diversity.

“Dreadlocks remain the most ancient of all hairstyles and ours is purely spiritual and of course scriptural,” the RCC stressed.

“The fact that the governor or his advisers and handlers are not versed in the revered historical, spiritual, religious or scriptural essence of dreadlocks is indeed very pitiable and frightening.”

Warning of potential unrest if the governor's stance is not retracted, the group urged Governor Bago to immediately recant his unguarded and insensitive statement and set the records straight, so as to avoid the looming ‘war' he has inadvertently set in motion.

They further reminded security agencies in Niger State of their constitutional duty to protect citizens’ rights, not abuse them.

“We call on all security apparatchik in Niger State to respect the fundamental, cultural, religious, and spiritual rights of all citizens and residents of the state, and avoid being used as human rights abusers instead of their constitutional duties as rights defenders,” the statement added.