Abuja Earth Tremor: Minister Orders Hourly Monitoring, Assures Residents of Safety

Abuja Earth Tremor: Minister Orders Hourly Monitoring, Assures Residents of Safety

The Federal Government has activated enhanced seismic monitoring following a light earth tremor that shook parts of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directing the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide hourly updates on seismic developments around Abuja. The directive came after the NGSA confirmed that several buildings across Abuja experienced vibrations on August 4, 2026, with the agency’s Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recording the event at exactly 11:23:27 a.m.

According to the NGSA, the earth movement originated from a depth of one kilometre beneath the earth’s surface and spread across a distance of four kilometres within five seconds. The agency classified the incident as a “light event of I to II magnitude” on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, explaining that such tremors pose no threat to lives or property. “This is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,” the agency stated.

READ ALSO:

• Tinubu Orders EFCC to Unfreeze Osun Govt Accounts, Says Timing ‘Embarrassing’
• Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition
• Former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun Loses Husband, Niyi Adeosun

Alake, who is currently in Washington, D.C., United States, engaging American investors on joint venture opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, responded through a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise. He directed the NGSA to submit hourly reports on any fresh seismic developments for his regular review and, where necessary, onward communication to other relevant government agencies. The minister assured residents that proactive measures had been deployed to safeguard lives and property across affected locations, noting that government agencies are closely monitoring the situation. “Residents should go about their lawful activities without anxiety. Necessary measures have been deployed to ensure public safety,” Alake said.

Nigeria experiences occasional low-intensity earth tremors despite lying outside the world’s major earthquake zones. Isolated tremors have been recorded in parts of the country over the years, including in Abuja, Kaduna, Kogi, Oyo and Bayelsa states. The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency operates a network of seismic monitoring stations across the country to detect and analyse such events, providing early scientific assessments to guide emergency response and reassure the public. Experts have consistently noted that most tremors recorded in Nigeria have been of low magnitude and have not resulted in significant damage to lives or property, but they underscore the importance of continuous seismic monitoring and emergency preparedness.

Abuja Earth Tremor: Minister Orders Hourly Monitoring, Assures Residents of Safety