Earth tremors in Abuja

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, at about 11:20 pm, residents of Mpape and Maitama, highbrow districts of Abuja, were jolted from their sleep by a series of tremors. The tremors, which were likened to an earthquake, sent residents scampering to safety, with some fleeing their homes and spending the night in the open.

The tremors, which lasted for about 30 minutes, caused panic and confusion, with many residents fearing that an earthquake was imminent. The tremors were also felt in other parts of Abuja, including Wuse, Garki, and Asokoro, but the impact was less severe.

According to the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), the tremors were caused by a minor earthquake that occurred 25 kilometers west of Abuja. The NGSA said the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 3.1, was caused by the movement of a fault line in the area.

The NGSA has assured residents that there is no cause for alarm, as the earthquake was a minor one and did not cause any significant damage. The agency said the tremors are likely to continue for a few more days, but they will gradually subside.

The tremors have, however, raised concerns about the safety of buildings in Abuja. Many of the buildings in Abuja are old and have not been built to withstand earthquakes. Experts have warned that if a major earthquake were to occur in Abuja, it could cause widespread damage and loss of life.

The NGSA has called on the government to take steps to strengthen the building codes in Abuja and ensure that buildings are built to withstand earthquakes.