Following the earlier tremor, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) suspended all mining activities in the community.
Martins Owoseni
Abuja – Residents of Mpape, a densely populated suburb in the Bwari Area Council of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been gripped by panic following a series of earth tremors that rocked the area for three consecutive days, in which emergency management was forced to suspend all mining activities in the community.
The incident which started on Saturday has sent shivers down the spine of the residents as buildings vibrated to their foundations, according to local reports.
Mpape is a stone throw away from the upscale district of Maitama in Abuja with clusters of houses for both low-income earners and members of the middle class.
The tremor has been most noticeable in areas like the P.W. Neighbourhood and the Mopol 24 Barracks, two sections of Mpape bordered by the narrow road that leads into the community.
The strange sound has also been reported near Katampe Junction, a spot connected to the Murtala Muhammad Expressway.
Following the earlier tremor, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) suspended all mining activities in the community.
Obinna Ngozi, a local resident, described the situation as alarming, explaining that the buildings would shake with each tremor, causing widespread anxiety.
Obina said he experienced the earth shaking about 10 times on Saturday alone, starting around 4 p.m. He added that the frequency and intensity of the tremors increased the following day, Sunday.
A second resident, Muhammad Ibrahim said he thought it was the sound for a bomb blast, noting that it differed from the typical sounds associated with quarry mining an activity Mpape is well-known for.
Ibrahim’s confusion is echoed by Nasiru Ahmad, a former mining blaster in the area, who explained that while stone blasting is easy to identify, the origin of the tremor’s sound remains a mystery.
The recent tremor has brought back memories of a similar, more severe event that occurred three years ago.
A local community chief, Peter David, said the previous incident had its origins near the Arab Road area in Mpape.
He said that tremor was so strong, adding, “it was felt in distant districts such as Gishiri, Jahi, Maitama, and AYA in Asokoro District.”
However, David said this ban was only enforced for about three months before quarry operators resumed their activities, potentially setting the stage for the current situation.
As the earth tremor continues, residents of Mpape are left in a state of uncertainty, with many calling for immediate intervention from authorities to address the potential dangers posed by both the tremors and ongoing mining activities in the area.
The recurrence of these tremors highlights the urgent need for comprehensive geological assessments to prevent future incidents that could lead to devastating consequences.