Residents of Mpape, a densely populated suburb of Abuja in the Bwari Area Council, have been thrown into panic following a series of earth tremors that have persisted for three days.
The tremors, which were first noticed on Saturday, have continued to rattle parts of the community, with reports of buildings shaking and a loud, unsettling noise accompanying the movements.
Mpape, located less than 10 minutes from the upscale district of Maitama, is home to many low-income earners as well as middle-class residents. The areas most affected by the tremors include the P.W. Neighbourhood, Mopol 24 Barracks, and Katampe Junction, all of which are connected by the single road leading into the community.
Residents shared their experiences with Daily Trust, describing the tremors as both frightening and disruptive. Obinna Ngozi, a resident, recounted how he felt the earth tremor approximately 10 times on Saturday alone, starting around 4 pm. He noted that the situation worsened on Sunday.
Muhammad Ibrahim, another resident, initially mistook the tremors for bomb blasts due to the loud sound, which he described as different from the usual quarry mining explosions that are common in the area.
Nasiru Ahmad, a mining blaster with years of experience in Mpape, stated that the source of the sound remains unclear, making it distinct from the identifiable blasts typically associated with stone quarrying.
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Chief Peter David, a community leader in Mpape, recalled a more severe earth tremor that struck the community three years ago, which affected not only Mpape but also distant districts such as Gishiri, Jahi, Maitama, and AYA in Asokoro.
Chief David also disclosed that the earlier incident originated from the Arab Road area of Mpape. In response, the National Emergency Management Agency had enforced a temporary halt on all mining activities in the community. However, Chief David noted that compliance with the ban lasted only about three months before the operators resumed mining at their former sites, continuing their activities despite the risks.
The ongoing tremors have now reignited concerns about the impact of mining in the area and its possible connection to the unsettling earth movements.
As residents continue to experience the tremors, many are concerned about the safety of their homes and the possibility of further damage. The situation has sparked calls for authorities to investigate the cause of the tremors and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the community.
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