The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja on August 4, 2026, has subsided, with no evidence of continuing seismic activity.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Olusegun Ige, gave the assurance on Thursday, August 13, during a technical briefing in Abuja.
Ige said the NGSA’s seismic station in Utako detected the tremor at 11:23:27 a.m. on August 4. The event lasted about five seconds and originated at a depth of less than one kilometre.
He described it as a low-energy, transient micro-event with low amplitude, adding that more than five days of subsequent monitoring recorded only normal background seismic signals.
NGSA officials also inspected sites where the tremor was reportedly felt, including the Defence Intelligence Agency facility at Mambila Barracks, Asokoro, the NNPC Towers and selected buildings in the Central Business District.
No structural damage or injuries linked to the incident were found, the agency said.
Ige said preliminary analysis suggested the tremor may have resulted from accumulated stress within the Earth’s crust being released through existing geological structures.
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Although Nigeria is not situated on an active major tectonic plate boundary, he said geological stress can occasionally be released through fault systems, causing localized seismic events.
He said the August 4 tremor lacked the characteristics of a destructive earthquake and released insufficient energy to cause structural failure or secondary hazards.
The assessment followed a directive by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, for the NGSA to provide hourly seismic updates around Abuja after the incident.
The latest tremor follows similar episodes in the capital. Tremors were recorded around Mpape and other parts of Abuja in September 2018, while another series was reported around Mpape, Katampe and Maitama in September 2024.
The NGSA said the recurring episodes underscored the need to strengthen seismic surveillance, despite the absence of evidence of an immediate threat from the latest event.
It called for an expanded national monitoring network, better funding and logistics, and appropriate monitoring equipment at major mining and quarrying sites.
Residents were advised to rely on verified information and report unusual ground vibrations to the NGSA through 09139442811.
The agency said it would continue monitoring seismic conditions and issue updates where necessary.