The Minister of Solid Minerals Development has urged calm after an earth tremor rattled parts of the Federal Capital Territory, saying initial readings indicate no danger to life or property.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency recorded the tremor at 11:23:27 a.m. on August 4 at its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako, the agency said.
The event, measured as originating about 1 kilometer below ground and propagating roughly four kilometers in five seconds, was characterized as a light surface tremor equivalent to I–II on the Mercalli scale, which the agency said typically causes shaking and alarm but not structural damage.
Alake directed the NGSA to provide him with hourly updates on seismic activity around Abuja for ongoing review and potential escalation to other agencies.
In a statement by his media aide Lara Owoeye-Wise, the Minister said
“Residents of the Federal Capital should go about their normal routine without anxiety,” the minister said in the statement.
He added that proactive measures have been deployed to safeguard people and property.
At the time of the statement he was in Washington, D.C., engaging American investors on joint-venture proposals in the solid-minerals sector.
The NGSA said the tremor “poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,” and pledged continued monitoring as authorities assess the situation.
