Residents of Mpape, a hilly suburb of Abuja, went into panic following what they described as ‘serious ground vibration’ that lasted from Wednesday afternoon to midnight.

According to Daily Trust, many of the residents said they initially thought the vibration was as a result of the usual quarry activity in the area until it persisted.

Residents in Eneje Street, Masafa Road, Berger Quarry and Area One areas in the community said the ground shook intermittently for a long period, raising fears of an earthquake.
“When it started we thought it was normal rock activity. But after a point we realised that it was abnormal,” a resident, Amos Uchenna, said.

Jennifer Roberts, however, said similar incident happened last week Friday at Masafa Road, adding that the incident on Wednesday happened after a torrential rainfall in the area.

We’re investigating – FG

Commenting on the incidents, the Director Economic Geology at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Dr Abdulrazaq Garba said the agency was aware of the vibration at the Mpape hill and had sent a team to pick coordinate/samples from the area for further analysis.

“We may not be able to say anything now; I can assure you that when the team comes back, we will give proper information. Because based on our work, there are some technical things we have to look at, to be able to say, there was a tremor there. Normally, there are some things that can occur but there must be a scientific interpretation,” he said.

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also called on residents in the Federal Capital Territory to remain calm over the recent earth shaking which occurred around Mpape and some parts of Maitama districts in Abuja.

•Excerpted from a Daily Trust report