Alake Urges Calm After Abuja Earth Tremor

Residents in parts of Abuja have been urged to stay calm after a light earth tremor was recorded in the Federal Capital Territory.

Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency to send hourly updates on seismic activity around Abuja so the government can decide whether to involve other agencies.

The agency said its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recorded the tremor at 11:23:27 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4. It said the movement came from a depth of one kilometre and travelled about four kilometres within five seconds.

The tremor was classified as a light event of I to II magnitude on the Mercalli scale. The agency said that type of surface tremor does not pose a threat to lives or property, apart from the shaking and fear it can cause.

Alake, who was in Washington, D.C. for talks with American investors in the solid minerals sector, asked residents to continue their normal activities while monitoring continues. He said measures had been put in place to protect lives and property if the situation changes.

The reports did not indicate damage, injuries or evacuations linked to the tremor.

Sources: Punch and Premium Times.