Abuja residents got a brief jolt on Tuesday morning when an earth tremor rippled through parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency said its seismic station in Utako picked up the movement at exactly 11:23:27am. According to NGSA, the tremor started one kilometre beneath the surface and travelled four kilometres in just five seconds.
The agency classified it as a light event, between I and II on the Mercalli scale. That level, NGSA explained, is too weak to cause structural damage.
“This is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,” the agency said.
The shake was enough to spark concern in neighborhoods across the FCT, prompting the federal government to step up monitoring.
Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, directed NGSA to provide hourly updates on seismic activity around the capital and to intensify surveillance in and around Abuja. In a statement on Wednesday signed by his media aide Lara Owoeye-Wise, Alake urged residents to remain calm and continue with daily activities.
He said regular reports will be submitted for continuous assessment, and can be escalated to other government agencies if needed.
Alake, who is currently in Washington DC engaging investors on solid minerals joint ventures, assured that proactive measures are in place to safeguard residents and property. The government, he added, will keep monitoring the situation closely with NGSA.
For now, officials say there is no indication of further strong activity, but the hourly updates will continue as a precaution.
