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Abuja Tremor: NGSA Assures Residents No Cause For Alarm

by admin on | 2026-08-14 17:06:56

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By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja on August 4, 2026, has completely subsided and poses no threat to lives or property.

The Director-General of the Agency, Olusegun Ige, gave the assurance at a press briefing in Abuja, following more than five days of continuous seismic monitoring, field assessments and technical analysis.

Ige said the NGSA seismic monitoring station in Utako recorded the tremor at 11:23:27 a.m. on August 4, with the event lasting about five seconds and originating from a depth of less than one kilometre.

He described the incident as a low-energy, transient micro-event with low amplitude and very short duration.

“Our message to residents of Abuja is clear: there is no cause for alarm. The tremor was a very low-energy, isolated event, and our monitoring has confirmed that the seismic activity has completely subsided,” Prof. Ige emphasised.

He said the Agency continued monitoring for more than five days after the incident, with waveform records showing only baseline seismic noise and no evidence of continuing tremor activity.

The NGSA also carried out physical assessments at locations where the tremor was reportedly felt, including the Defence Intelligence Agency facility at Mambila Barracks, Asokoro, the NNPC Towers and selected buildings within the Central Business District.

According to the Director-General, no structural damage, injury or serious discomfort attributable to the tremor was recorded at the locations inspected.

The Agency said preliminary geological analysis indicated that the tremor may have resulted from the release of accumulated stress within the earth’s crust through existing geological structures.

Ige explained that although Nigeria is not located on a major active tectonic plate boundary, geological stresses can occasionally be released through existing fault systems, resulting in localised seismic events.

He stressed that the characteristics of the August 4 tremor did not indicate a destructive earthquake.

“The fact that a tremor was felt does not mean that a destructive earthquake is imminent. What matters is the nature and energy of the event. In this case, the energy released was extremely low and insufficient to cause structural failure or trigger secondary hazards.”

The technical briefing also included a demonstration of the Agency’s seismic monitoring operations, during which journalists were shown how seismic signals are detected, recorded and analysed in real time.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, had earlier directed the NGSA to provide hourly updates on seismic developments around Abuja for possible escalation to relevant government agencies.

Ige said the Agency’s response demonstrated the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s seismic monitoring capacity.

He called for the expansion of the national seismic monitoring network, improved logistics and funding, and increased deployment of appropriate monitoring equipment at major mining and quarrying sites.

The NGSA also recommended that geological and seismic data be incorporated into the planning and construction of major infrastructure, including dams, bridges, railways, airports, mines and quarries.

The Agency further stressed the need for compliance with structural and safety standards, sustained public education on tremor and earthquake safety protocols, and continuous training of its personnel in modern seismic monitoring and data analysis.

Ige assured residents that the Agency would continue to monitor seismic activity in Abuja and other parts of the country and provide timely updates when necessary.

“For now, residents of Abuja should remain calm and go about their normal activities.”

The NGSA urged members of the public to rely on verified information from the Agency and other competent authorities on seismic and other geological hazards.

Residents who observe unusual ground vibrations or have concerns about seismic activity can contact the NGSA emergency line on 09139442811.