The recent occurrences of earth tremors in some communities and towns in three states in the country are signs that Nigeria is prone to bigger and higher magnitude earthquake, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has said.

NASRDA’s Director General Prof Seidu Mohammed, who disclosed this at a Public Presentation of remote and immediate causes of the tremor in some Kaduna communities, in Abuja on Thursday, said it was no longer true that high magnitude earthquake could not occur in Nigeria.

“Disturbingly, the recent earth tremors in Shaki (Oyo State), and some communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states as well as in communities in Kwoi, Jaba LGA of Kaduna Sate are warning signs of a bigger occurrence,” he said while answering questions from journalists after the presentation.

He said the causes of the tremor in Kwoi and its environs in Kaduna State were natural.

“The earthquake could be attributed to the stress released from the fault systems of the area,” he said.

He said the underneath rocks where the communities were sitting on might have made a very little shake which was felt by the communities.

Also speaking at the press conference, the Director, Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG), Toro, Bauchi State, Dr Tahir Yakubu, said though a bigger and higher magnitude earthquake may occur in or around the country because of the tremors here and there, it would still take a very long time for a bigger earthquake to occur if at all it would occur.

“But the government should take this serious and provide the centre with advanced equipment and facilities to enable us monitor the earth activities within and around Nigeria,” he said.

On whether the communities around Kwoi should relocate or not, both Mohammed and Yakubu said they are safe and “they do not need to move away from the areas.”

•Text courtesy of Daily Trust. Photo shows NASRDA DG, Prof Seidu Mohammed.

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