By Aaior K. Comfort
The Federal Government has reassured residents of Mpape and surrounding suburbs in Abuja that the recent earth tremors are not connected to any potential earthquakes. The Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, addressed concerns during a press conference on Wednesday, urging the public to remain calm.
Dr. Adepoju emphasized that the recent seismic movements, which affected areas including Mpape and Maitama, are minor and do not pose a threat of earthquakes. He reported that between six and eight tremors had been detected over the past two days, leading to confusion and alarm among residents.
“The earth tremors we experienced are not the type that can cause earthquakes,” Adepoju stated. “We want to assure the people that the situation is under control and that these tremors are not unique to Nigeria but are a global phenomenon.”
He also announced that quarry and excavation activities in the affected areas have been suspended to prevent any further impact on seismic conditions. This precautionary measure has been taken to ensure that human activities do not exacerbate the situation.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that similar tremors were previously reported in September 2018. He urged residents to stay calm and continue their daily routines while the government processes data from seismological and GNSS stations to provide further recommendations.
The government will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates to ensure public safety.