Earth tremor shakes Abuja for 3 consecutive days

There is palpable apprehension among residents of Mpape, a suburb located in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, following an earth tremor that rocked the community for three days.

This disturbing incident has left many worried about their safety as they continue to feel the effects of the tremor.

Mpape, which is located just a few minutes from the upscale Maitama district, is home to a mix of low- and middle-income residents.

The tremor, which was accompanied by loud, disturbing sounds, was first noticed on Saturday. It continued into Sunday and was still being experienced as of Monday.

The tremors have been particularly noticeable in areas such as the P.W. Neighbourhood and Mopol 24 Barracks, located along the main road leading into the community.

The sounds were also reported around Katampe Junction, which connects to the Murtala Muhammad Expressway.

One resident, Obinna Ngozi, described the terrifying experience, explaining that the buildings shook each time the tremor occurred, leaving people in fear.

He recalled feeling the tremor about ten times on Saturday, with the situation worsening on Sunday.

Also, another resident, Muhammad Ibrahim, initially thought the loud sounds were from a bomb blast, as they were much more intense than the usual noises from the area’s stone quarry operations.

The Mpape community is known for its quarrying activities, but this tremor felt different.

Nasiru Ahmad, a mining expert in the community, explained that while the sound of stone blasting is easy to identify, this tremor made it difficult to pinpoint the source.

He compared the current incident to a similar one that occurred three years ago, which had far-reaching effects in nearby districts like Gishiri, Jahi, Maitama, and even AYA in Asokoro.

Community leader Peter David also recalled the previous tremor, which originated from the Arab Road area of Mpape.

He noted that following that incident, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had placed a temporary ban on mining activities in the area. However, this ban only lasted for three months before mining operations resumed.

As the tremor continues, residents are calling for immediate action from the authorities to address the situation and ensure their safety. Many fear that without intervention, the tremors could lead to more severe consequences for the community.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook