“Nigerian Geological Agency (NGSA) Addresses Earth Tremors in Abuja, Assures Low-Level Threat”

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has moved to reassure residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following reports of recent earth tremors in the region. In a statement released on Wednesday, NGSA Director-General, Prof. Olusegun Ige, confirmed that while the agency had been closely monitoring the seismic activities, the tremors recorded were of low magnitude.

Prof. Ige emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that the tremors posed any significant threat to public safety or the environment. “The Monitoring Station (NGSA-5) at Katampe has recorded several significant ground motions with high moment magnitudes (Mw) over the past five days, beginning on September 13, 2024,” he said. Only one mild event was recorded on the 13th of September, followed by six on the 14th, and over 21 events on the 15th, with increased intensities.

He further explained that more than 20 additional events were recorded on the 16th of September, indicating a rise in both the intensity and frequency of the tremors over the four-day period. Preliminary analysis suggests that the sources of these ground motions were located less than 5 km from the monitoring station.

Prof. Ige noted that a team from NGSA had visited the affected areas to conduct on-the-spot assessments. Based on observations from residents, on-site evaluations, and previous geophysical data, the agency concluded that the tremors were the result of accumulated stress along identified faults, releasing seismic energy that traveled through fractures to areas where the tremors were felt.

“There are multiple epicentres associated with these recent tremors, with most located northeast of the NGSA-5 Seismic Station around Mpape, and a few southwest near Katampe,” he added. The intensities of the tremors were classified as weak to light, ranging from III to IV on the Modified Mercalli Scale, posing a very low level of threat.

Residents of Mpape, Katampe, Maitama, and surrounding areas were advised not to panic, as the tremors were generally described as low in intensity. Prof. Ige assured the public that the NGSA continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as needed. He also informed the public that the NGSA Seismic Stations are being monitored in real-time to ensure prompt alerts in the event of any major seismic activity.