Residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been urged to remain calm after an earth tremor was recorded in parts of Abuja, with the Federal Government assuring the public that there is no danger to lives or property.
According to a report by Channels Television, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the tremor recorded on Tuesday was a light seismic event that should not cause panic.
Alake, who is currently in Washington DC, United States, engaging American investors on joint venture opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on seismic activity around Abuja for continuous monitoring and possible escalation to relevant authorities if necessary.
The NGSA reported that the earth tremor occurred on August 4 at exactly 11:23:27am. The agency’s Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako said the tremor originated from a depth of one kilometre and travelled four kilometres within five seconds.
The agency classified the event as a light tremor of I to II on the Mercalli intensity scale, explaining that such tremors typically do not pose a threat to lives or infrastructure.
According to the NGSA, the shaking may cause temporary discomfort and anxiety but is not expected to result in structural damage.
Alake assured residents that the agency would continue to closely monitor the situation while advising people to go about their normal daily activities without fear.
