Environmentalists have called for an investigation into renewed earth tremors reported in communities across Bayelsa and Rivers states in southern Nigeria, saying the cause of the ground vibrations remains unknown.
Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD) made the call after its field team visited affected communities to document residents’ experiences following the vibrations reported on October 8.
The team, led by Alagoa Morris and Emmanuel Ezue, visited Kalaba, Ikarama, Mbiama and Iluma on October 10. Residents said the tremors shook buildings, displaced household items and caused panic, forcing some people to flee their homes and businesses.
In Mbiama, vulcaniser Chimezie Madu said residents rushed towards the East-West Road because they feared a heavy structure had collapsed.
Fruit seller Benita Douglas said the vibrations damaged another trader’s table, scattering goods and causing her to fall to the ground.
In Iluma, trader Innocent Ezebuwo said people abandoned their shops to investigate the shaking. He called on government authorities to determine its cause, adding that his community had experienced similar incidents several times about four years earlier.
Another resident, Caroline Theophilus, said she fled her home in fear when the ground began to vibrate.
In Kalaba, 51-year-old Freeborn Roland said the shaking occurred between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., affecting his house and roofing sheets. He initially suspected strong winds.
Residents of Ikarama also reported intense vibrations affecting the ground and buildings. Christian Johnson, 48, said he initially feared an earthquake.
The traditional ruler of Freetown, Gbaka Moses, said the incident caused widespread concern and that cracks had reportedly appeared in some buildings. He called for a thorough investigation.
ECARD said records showed that similar tremors had been reported in the affected areas in June 2014 and July 2016. The earlier incidents reportedly affected several communities across Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The organisation said previous tremors had raised suspicions of possible links to seismic activity associated with oil industry operations, particularly during the 2016 incidents.
However, ECARD said its latest observations had not identified nearby seismic activity that could explain the renewed vibrations. It cautioned against attributing the incidents to oil exploration or production without scientific evidence.
The organisation urged state and federal authorities, scientific institutions and relevant professional bodies to investigate the incidents and provide reliable information to affected communities.
It said an investigation should establish the cause of the vibrations, determine whether they pose a risk to residents and identify any measures needed to protect lives and property.
ECARD also called for greater government attention to environmental monitoring and scientific research, warning that recurring incidents should not be overlooked simply because their causes remain uncertain.
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