Residents of Mpape, a densely populated suburb in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been thrown into panic mode by panic following a series of earth tremors that have persisted for three consecutive days.
The event, which began on Saturday and continued through Sunday and Monday, has left many in fear as buildings shake and an ominous sound echoes through the community.
Mpape, located 10 minutes away from the upscale district of Maitama in Abuja, is home to both low-income earners and members of the middle class.
The tremor has been most noticeable in areas like the P.W. Neighbourhood and the Mopol 24 Barracks, two sections of Mpape bordered by the narrow road that leads into the community. The strange sound has also been reported near Katampe Junction, a spot connected to the Murtala Muhammad Expressway.
Obinna Ngozi, a local resident, described the situation as alarming, explaining that the buildings would shake with each tremor, causing widespread anxiety.
He experienced the earth shaking about 10 times on Saturday alone, starting around 4 p.m,adding that the frequency and intensity of the tremors increased the following day, Sunday.
Muhammad Ibrahim, another resident, initially mistook the sound for a bomb blast, noting that it differed from the typical sounds associated with quarry mining an activity Mpape is well-known for.
His confusion is echoed by Nasiru Ahmad, a former mining blaster in the area, who explained that while stone blasting is easy to identify, the origin of the tremor’s sound remains a mystery.
The recent tremor has brought back memories of a similar, more severe event that occurred three years ago.
According to Peter David, a local community chief, the previous incident had its origins near the Arab Road area in Mpape. That tremor was so strong it was felt in distant districts such as Gishiri, Jahi, Maitama, and AYA in Asokoro District.
Following the earlier tremor, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had suspended all mining activities in the community.
According to David, this ban was only enforced for about three months before quarry operators resumed their activities, potentially setting the stage for the current situation.
As the earth tremor continues, residents of Mpape are left in a state of uncertainty, with many calling for immediate intervention from authorities to address the potential dangers posed by both the tremors and ongoing mining activities in the area.