Panic as earth tremor rocks Abuja

Residents of Mpape, a suburb in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have been gripped with fear following a series of earth tremors that have continued for three consecutive days.

The tremors, which began on Saturday, have caused alarm in the community, particularly in areas like the P.W. Neighbourhood and Mopol 24 barracks, close to the single road leading into the area.

Residents reported hearing a loud, unsettling sound accompanying the tremors, which caused buildings to shake.

According to Obinna Ngozi, a local, the tremors were felt at least ten times on Saturday alone, with the situation worsening by Sunday.

Some, like Muhammad Ibrahim, initially mistook the tremors for bomb blasts, as the sound differed from the familiar quarry mining activity for which the area is known.

The tremor has also been reported around Katampe junction, near the Murtala Muhammad Expressway.

Nasiru Ahmad, an experienced mining blaster in the community, noted that the origin of the sound accompanying the tremors is hard to pinpoint, unlike typical stone blasting sounds.

He recalled a more severe tremor that occurred three years ago, which affected distant areas like Gishiri, Jahi, Maitama, and AYA in Asokoro District.

A chief in the community, Peter David, said the last incident had originated from the Arab Road area in the community about three years ago. “Following that incident, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had sanctioned all mining activities in the community.

“However, the compliance only lasted for about three months, before the operators returned back to their known sites, and continued with their mining activities,” the chief added.