Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to remain calm following the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja, assuring them that there is no threat to lives or property.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, the minister said he had directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on seismic developments for continuous assessment and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies if necessary.

Alake, who is currently in Washington, D.C., United States, where he is engaging American investors on joint venture proposals in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, said proactive measures had already been put in place to safeguard residents and critical infrastructure.

The minister’s directive followed an alert from the NGSA confirming that an earth tremor shook several buildings in Abuja on Tuesday, August 4.

According to the agency, its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recorded the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m. The event originated at a depth of one kilometre and travelled approximately four kilometres within five seconds.

The NGSA classified the incident as a light seismic event of between I and II on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, explaining that such tremors are surface-level events that do not pose any danger 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 said.

Alake assured residents that the NGSA would continue to closely monitor seismic activity in the FCT and provide timely updates, while advising the public to continue with their normal daily activities without fear or anxiety.