Benue eruption explained, by the government

On Saturday I posted about an incident that occurred in Benue State, Nigeria. This state is on the border of Cameroon, and the incident was reported in two news outlets to have been some kind of eruption on the mountain district of Mkomon. The original story told of eyewitnesses hearing and feeling a great vibration of the earth, then the mountain exploded and lava came gushing down. Many thought it was a volcanic eruption, but no volcanoes exist in that area. The reports were specific in their eyewitness account and of the damage done to property. One boy was reportedly killed. The reports said that the area now lacked roads, were cut off, and had no drinkable water. But today the Benue government said that it was not an explosion but a landslide:

"Benue State Commissioner for Water and Environment John Ngbede has debunked media reports that there was a volcanic eruption in Kwande Local Government Area. Ngbede said there was a landslide in Mkomon district, Kwande Local Government Area, and not a volcanic eruption. He said there was a heavy rainfall and vibration in a mountain bordering the community with the Republic of Cameroun. The commissioner said rocks rolled down from the mountain and destroyed houses. He said the vibration pulled down trees. Ngbede said a volcanic eruption would have had a more devastating effect. Kwande Council Chairman Terlumun Akputu said the geophysical movement of rocks claimed one life and destroyed farm lands. He said the community of about 150 residents lacked access road, potable water and other social amenities. The council chairman urged the Federal Government to assist them and construct the road linking the community with Cameroun."

So all the details between the Government version and the eyewitness reported version except one are confirmed: lava. The government said that this was the third such landslide in the district. However, if you ask me, the locals who have experienced this before know the difference between landslides and a volcano eruption.

But the mystery continues, and we still lack pictures.

Comments

  1. With my little experience in GEOLOGY, I believe that the Mkomon incident is a Land Slide and Not a Volcanic Eruption. Else, we should be collecting fresh samples of solidified magma today to carry out microscopic analysis to ascertain volcanic origin. It's quite unfortunate that there are no pictures of this sad event.

    May the government handle this issue urgently and in the best manner as possible

    Student, UNICAL

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