Abuja Earth Tremor: FEMA releases safety tips in case recurrence

The FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has released an official statement highlighting safety tips, after the earth tremors in Mpape and its environs on Thursday.

FEMA also assured residents of the territory that there was no likelihood of earthquake within the territory and the country.

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory were alarmed by the sudden earth movement in the affected areas which was their first experience in many years.

The tremor instilled fear in residents, resulting in confusion about the cause of the terrific happening around them.

Here's the statement from FEMA.

The Director-General of the agency, Abass Idris, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday in Abuja, said there was no cause for alarm.

According to him, the earth-shaking around Mpape and some parts of Maitama district does not imply that the FCT and indeed the country is under the threat of earthquake, saying that the agency is in firm control of the situation.

Idris said the possible cause of the incident may be due to earth tremor which he explained, is a “sign of seismic movement within the earth that was caused by a sudden break along a fault line.

“This sudden release of energy makes the ground to shake which may be caused by stress in underground rocks and may be due to rock blasting and mining activities in the area.

“When personnel of the agency interacted with residents of Mpape and its environs, they gathered that this was not the first time the shaking has occurred but has happened five years ago”.

The DG appealed to the residents of the affected area to remain calm as the agency was doing all within its powers to bring the situation under control within the shortest time.

He, however, said that there was a need for residents to  relocate to a safer zone, warning that if living in a building during the tremor, residents should either vacate their houses or take cover under desks or tables and hold tight until the shaking is over.

He also said that residents should stay away from windows and objects that were likely to fall and also find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines.

“If you are in the car, slow down and drive to a clear place, stay in the car until the shaking stops,” he added.

Also, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency has assured residents living in Abuja of their safety.

Alex Nwegbu, the director-general of the agency, said this at a press briefing Friday afternoon in reaction to the earth tremors experienced by Abuja residents.

Nwegbu said the tremors are not significant enough to be worried about, much less consider relocating.

He, however, said the agency has not been able to establish the cause of the latest tremors in Abuja, but that its officials were currently on the field investigating all immediate and remote causes.

Nwegbu added that there cannot be an earthquake in Nigeria based on scientific information available to experts, pointing out that the country is not situated in regions susceptible to earthquake.

He said: “There is absolutely no cause for alarm. When tremor occurs, people may temporarily leave their homes, but should return shortly after it ends.

“The agency is working to install newly purchased equipment to monitor seismic activities across the country.

“We are also partnering with foreign organisations with advanced technical capabilities to help us understand what happened,” Nwegbu added.