Abuja earth tremor poses no ongoing threat, says NGSA

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has assured residents of Abuja that a recent earth tremor poses no ongoing threat. The seismic event occurred on August 4, 2026, at approximately 11:23 am, lasting about five seconds and originating from a depth of less than one kilometre.

NGSA Director-General Prof. Olusegun Ige described the tremor as a ‘low-energy, transient micro-event’ with a magnitude of I to II on the Mercalli scale. Following the incident, the agency conducted physical assessments at several locations, including the NNPC Towers and the Central Business District, finding no structural damage or injuries. Ige emphasized that Nigeria is not prone to earthquakes and confirmed that seismic activity has subsided.

In response to the event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, directed the NGSA to provide regular updates. While officials have urged calm, some experts have attributed the phenomenon to increased quarrying, illegal mining, and the widespread drilling of boreholes in the Federal Capital Territory, which may weaken the earth's crust.