The arrest of Bichiya Maisongo by Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has continued to generate reactions across various platforms, particularly among supporters of Hausa self-determination and cultural advocacy movements.
According to critics of the arrest, Maisongo was detained after publicly campaigning for what he described as "Hausa consciousness" — a movement aimed at encouraging greater awareness of Hausa identity, culture, and the right of Hausa people to determine their political and social future. While opinions remain divided on the objectives and implications of such campaigns, the development has sparked intense debate online.
One activist who has openly expressed support for Hausa self-determination claims that since Maisongo's arrest, he has become the target of numerous threatening and hostile messages from individuals opposed to his views.
Sharing some of the messages he has allegedly received, the activist said several people have warned that he could soon face arrest as well.
Among the messages he highlighted were statements such as:
"Don't think you are safe just because you are not in Nigeria. Interpol will arrest you wherever you go, by God's will."
Another message reportedly read:
"Gamji, you will be next."
Others allegedly stated:
"The DSS will arrest you soon."
"By God's will, all the top Hausa figures will be arrested."
Perhaps the most disturbing message, according to him, was one expressing a desire to celebrate his arrest or death.
"I will celebrate like never before the day I wake up and hear you have been arrested or even killed," one sender allegedly wrote.
The activist further claimed that some critics have gone as far as calling for the death penalty against him, accusing him of attempting to provoke ethnic conflict.
According to him, some messages included statements such as:
"The DSS should sentence you to death. You are trying to start a tribal war."
Reacting to the threats, the activist expressed disappointment and concern over what he sees as a growing intolerance toward discussions about Hausa identity and self-determination. He argued that the nature of the messages suggests that some individuals do not regard Hausa people as deserving of the same rights and freedoms afforded to others.
"I think these people do not consider Hausa people as human," he stated.
The controversy comes amid broader national conversations about ethnic identity, regional autonomy, freedom of expression, and national unity in Nigeria. While supporters of self-determination movements often describe their campaigns as peaceful efforts to advocate for political and cultural rights, opponents frequently argue that such rhetoric could deepen divisions in an already diverse nation.
Security agencies in Nigeria have consistently maintained that they act within the law to preserve national security and prevent actions capable of threatening public order. However, human rights advocates often stress the importance of balancing security concerns with constitutional protections for free speech, peaceful association, and political expression.
As reactions continue to trail Maisongo's arrest and the allegations of intimidation made by his supporters, the debate highlights the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding discussions of identity politics, self-determination, and ethnic representation in Nigeria.
Whether viewed as an issue of national security or one of civil liberties, the conversation is likely to remain a subject of public interest in the coming weeks.
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