By Samuel Oyadongha
The alleged circulation of text messages, threatening reprisal attacks on Hausa indigenes in the wake of the reported killings of Bayelsa indigenes in the North is now causing fear among persons of Northern extraction resident in Bayelsa State.

Though the state had been peaceful with the members of the Hausa community going about their normal businesses, especially with the state government’s assurance on their safety, the number of Hausa Okada riders on the road had reduced in the last three days, due to the alleged text messages being circulated of a possible reprisal attacks.

It was also learnt that the death of an Okada rider of Northern extraction last Tuesday, blamed on accident along Nikton Road might have further triggered the fears.

In spite of the rumoured text messages, it was business as usual around the Aretaline Hotel area in Ovom suburb of the capital city known for hosting the largest Hausa community in the state, whose members operators bureau de change.

When Vanguard visited  the area, some of the bureau de change operators were seen going about their business.

One of them, who identified himself as Ibrahim, said though the rumoured text message had been on “we have not heard of anybody being harassed or attacked. As you can see, we are at home with our hosts. If the text message story is true, even though I am yet to receive any, I believe the aim is to cause panic among our people.”