Earth tremor causes panic in Bayelsa and Rivers States

Suspected earth tremor in parts of Bayelsa and Rivers States, has caused palpable apprehension among residents of the affected communities in the two oil-rich states.


Residents of the areas noted that the tremor caused serious cracks on the walls of their buildings though no injury was reported.

The communities that experienced it include Igbogene and Akenfa in Bayelsa as well as Akinima, Akie-Oniso (Oruama), One Man Country and Mbiama – neighbouring communities in Rivers.

There were heavy vibrations that 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 last 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 explained.

Residents of Saki in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State had last month also reported such quakes in their communities including, Medinat, Veterinary and Ogbooro areas of the town.