- Residents of Mpape, Abuja, experienced three days of earth tremors, causing alarm and leading to fears of potential bomb blasts
- Local experts noted the tremors were difficult to identify, contrasting them with familiar quarry explosions, raising concerns about safety
Residents in Mpape, a suburb of Abuja, were gripped with fear after an earth tremor shook parts of their community for three days straight. The tremor, which started on Saturday, sparked alarm among locals and continued through Sunday and Monday.
Mpape is a densely populated area located less than 10 minutes from Abuja’s upscale Maitama district. The community houses both low-income earners and middle-class residents.
Witnesses reported the tremor accompanied by a loud, unsettling noise. Obinna Ngozi, a local resident, described how buildings shook each time the tremor occurred. He said the tremors started around 4 p.m. on Saturday and intensified by Sunday, happening about 10 times on the first day alone.
Another resident, Muhammad Ibrahim, initially thought a bomb blast caused the tremor. He noted that it sounded different from the quarry explosions the area is known for.
Nasiru Ahmad, a former mining expert, explained that, unlike the familiar sounds of quarry blasts, it was difficult to pinpoint the tremor’s source. He recalled a more severe incident three years ago that affected other parts of Abuja, including Gishiri, Jahi, Maitama, and Asokoro.
Peter David, a community leader, mentioned that the last significant tremor occurred around Arab Road in Mpape. Following that incident, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had temporarily halted mining activities in the area. However, mining operations resumed after just three months.