Police Brutalise, Shav£, Extort Money From Travellers Over Dreadlocks
Nigerian Police officers stationed at a checkpoint along the Minna-Paiko road in Pago, Niger State, have been accused of brutalising and extorting money from a team of photographers travelling from Abuja to Minna, for allegedly having dreadlocks.
In a video, one of the photographers explained how they were en route to Minna for a job, and stopped by police officers who removed their caps, inspected their hairstyles, and then forcefully cut their hair.
He added that the policemen assaulted them and asked them to pay a bribe before being released.
The incident follows Governor Umar Bago’s controversial directive ordering the arrest and shaving of anyone found with dreadlocks in the state, a policy that has drawn criticism from rights groups and sparked fears of profiling and abuse.
Although the governor later clarified his position, following a backlash, the policemen at the checkpoint seemed to exploit the governor’s directive.
In the video, one of the victims narrated how the encounter unfolded and turned violent.
“So as we were coming, they stopped us, they talked to me and they removed my guy’s cap, when they opened our caps, one of us kept (hairstyle) “punk” and the other one plaited his hair.
And I was like okay but I told my guys before we came down from the car I told my guys to allow me to talk to the police so that they wouldn’t cut their hair since I was carrying a normal low cut (hairstyle).”
“I went and met the police saying okay we are sorry we heard of the rule that’s going on but we are just coming from Abuja to work and come back.”
“Before we know it, the police have started carrying them into the bush. I’m like please no no let’s settle this matter here then he was like hey you are telling me what the governor said to me. I know the order that we must cut this hair.
“The policemen asked me to go back and I told them the people are working with me so there is no way I will leave them for you to carry them inside the bush that’s why i’m following so let’s just talk about.”
“One of the policemen just surfaced from the team and they started beating me, that I was trying to stop them from doing their job.”
“Later, the police told them that they had to pay a fine of two thousand naira.”
“They collected the money through bank transfer.”
“And then my guy gave another N2,000 in cash at that point.”
“They cut their hair, beat me; they really beat me; they were so mean; they injured my back.”
Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer for Niger State Command, has not responded to calls or messages seeking comment on the incident.
