Nigeria, April 23 -- The Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, has ordered security agents to clamp down on thugs and those abetting them to disrupt public peace in Minna, the state capital where violence has become a daily occurrence.

His directives, including the arrest of people wearing dreadlocks, followed a series of calls by terrorised residents of Minna to curb the worsening thuggery that has claimed the lives of many innocent people.

The thugs have turned the streets of Minna into a battleground, notably since Mr Bago took over leadership of the state.

More than 10 people have been killed by the thugs this year, including a retired permanent secretary.

On 22 April, some thugs stabbed a bank driver identified as Mohammed, with a ...