Geological survey agency assures of safety of lives, property in 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 has completely subsided and poses no threat to lives and property.

The agency said its assessment followed more than five days of continuous seismic monitoring, field inspections and technical analysis after the incident.

Speaking at a technical press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of NGSA, Prof. Olusegun Ige, said the agency’s seismic monitoring station in Utako recorded the tremor at 11:23:27 a.m. on August 4.

He said the event lasted about five seconds and originated from a depth of less than one kilometre, describing it as a low-energy, transient micro-event characterised by 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,” Ige said.

He said the agency maintained surveillance for more than five days after the incident, with waveform records showing only baseline seismic noise and no indication of continuing tremor activity.

The NGSA also conducted 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 Ige, no structural damage, injury or serious discomfort attributable to the tremor was recorded at the locations inspected.

“We have combined instrumental monitoring with physical assessment on the ground. The evidence before us shows that there is no ongoing seismic threat and no structural damage arising from this event,” he said.