The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to remain calm after a mild earth tremor shook parts of Abuja. To ensure real-time situational awareness, the Minister has directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on the seismic activity.

Speaking from Washington, D.C., where he is currently engaging American investors on joint venture partnerships in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, Alake reassured the public that there is no cause for panic. He emphasized that proactive security and safety measures have already been deployed across the capital to effectively safeguard lives and property.

The directive followed a report from the NGSA that an earth tremor shook several buildings in Abuja on Tuesday, 4 August.

According to the agency, its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recorded the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m., noting that it originated from a depth of one kilometre and spread over a distance of four kilometres within five seconds.

The NGSA described the incident as a “light event” of I to II magnitude on the Mercalli scale, explaining that such tremors pose no threat to lives or property.

“This is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,” the agency stated.

Alake directed the NGSA to submit hourly reports on seismic developments around Abuja for his review and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies where necessary.

He assured residents that the agency would continue to monitor the situation closely while urging them to go about their normal daily activities without fear or anxiety.