Panic, fear grip Abuja residents over tremors, vibration

Residents of Abuja living at Mpape in Bwari Area Council have been thrown into panic over continued suspected tremor and vibration in parts of the city.

Dr. Ebenezer Adebisi, chairman, Mpape Hills Landlord Association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the residents had been experiencing the vibration for five days.

Adebisi, a retired Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said that was not the first time the residents of the area were having such experience. He said although it happened some years ago, it had become more consistent in the past five days.

According to him, residents of the area felt the tremor and vibration were more than the usual ones they experience during the blasting of rocks in the area by quarry companies.

He said the vibration was more intense throughout Sunday and Monday night, adding that, “we don’t really know what would have caused the vibration.

“I have also confirmed that those in Gwarinpa and Katampe areas are also experiencing the same thing, but the government has not said anything officially up till now.

“It is important we let Nigerians know the situation now; we are calling on the Nigerian government and the Nigeria Geological Agency to come to the rescue of the resident.”

He said urgent measures needed to be taken before things got out of hand, urging the government to advise the residents on the next line of action.

Mrs Florence Ilesanmi, a resident of Gwari Village, Mpape said she had been experiencing the same thing.

Madam Aisha Lawal, a resident at the Crushrock area of Mpape shared a similar experience, saying the interval of the vibration was a source of worry.

An official Nigerian Geological Survey Agency who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged the residents to consider temporary relocation if the tremor continued.

The official told one of the residents who contacted him that the residents should continue to record the frequency of the vibration. “I googled the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA). They told me I should be recording anytime the vibration occurred again. I was able to speak with one of the officers of the agency, who confirmed that all their equipment is already on ground to forestall any emergency. They said if the vibration is heavy, we should try and evacuate from the premises for now.”