No cause for alarm: NGSA assures Abuja residents over recent earth tremors.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Nigerians that the recent earth tremors in Abuja will not escalate into a major earthquake or pose danger to lives and property.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Nigerians that the recent earth tremors in Abuja will not escalate into a major earthquake or pose danger to lives and property.
Director General of NGSA, Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, spoke Thursday at a news briefing in Abuja to explain the technical causes of the tremors.
According to Ige, the tremors recorded in parts of the FCT on August 5, 2026 were mild and did not threaten buildings or the safety of residents.
The briefing was aimed at providing accurate scientific information on the incident, as well as updating the public on the agency’s preliminary findings and ongoing monitoring of the situation.
NGSA technical experts also demonstrated the monitoring equipment currently in use and responded to questions from reporters on the nature and implications of the tremors.
Addressing concerns about possible links to human activities, Prof. Ige condemned stone blasting companies that continue to operate in parts of Abuja despite an existing ban, adding that the agency will liaise with the FCT Administration to enforce the ban and ensure compliance in areas prone to tremors.
On the relationship between blasting and tremors, the DG explained that tremors are essentially “micro-earthquakes” caused by vibrations from natural or artificial sources.
“When you apply pressure to the surface of the earth, the intensity of that activity determines how far the effect is felt.
“That is why during blasting, people are asked to move to a safe radius. The level of detonation determines the area that will feel the vibration,” he said.
Ige added that while natural geological movements can trigger tremors, man-made activities such as excessive blasting can contribute to the frequency and intensity of occurrences in urban areas.
He urged residents not to panic but to remain calm, noting that NGSA has intensified monitoring across the FCT and will continue to provide updates as assessments progress.
The agency also called on the public to report any suspicious mining or blasting activities to relevant authorities to help safeguard lives and infrastructure in the capital.
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