Residents of Rivers and Bayelsa states were recently in shock as suspected earth tremors rocked both states.
Some of the affected communities include Igbogene and Akenfa in Bayelsa as well as Akinima, Akie-Oniso (Oruama), One Man Country and Mbiama – communities in Rivers state.
Officials of the environment based non-governmental organisation, Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth in Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, who were also on an assessment tour of the affected areas said that was not the first vibration experienced.
ERA coordinator in Bayelsa, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said the last occurrence took place two years ago in Freetown, Ikarama 1 & 2 in Okordia clan in Yenagoa LGA.
Although he said what could have triggered the tremor had yet to be established, he called on the government and relevant agencies to look into the incident so as to know the real cause and prevent possible disaster.
Recounting their ordeal, residents disclosed that the vibrations lasted for some minutes during the incident which was said to have started at about 12 midnight.
A retired Principal and landlord in Igbogene, Bayelsa State, Chief Etekpe Friday, described the experience as “frightening”.
“We were about to go to bed when I heard a heavy vibration. I thought it was something else so I quickly went into prayers,” the 60-year-old man stated.
At Akie-Oniso(Oruama) in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, a resident, Paul Kio, said the tremor caused a serious crack in his building.
“This vibration was something unpredictable, look at the cracks on my wall,” Kio said.