[meteorite-list] New possible iron meteorite fall in Nigeria

[Darren Garrison]

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=100942

In reaction to the  recent explosions of a heavy metal  object  that rocked
Sokoto metropolis, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has dispelled
speculations making rounds in the state  that the meteorite fall  could be an
act of sabotage by terrorists or as a result of a misguided millitary action,
pointing out that it is a natural act.
  The agency  also alerted the public on the activities of  some selfish
individuals who may go about selling the powdered meteorite or any such
materials claiming that they can bring goodluck and are potent against evil
spirits.
 Addressing newsmen in Sokoto yesterday,its Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr Victor
Ozuabide disclosed  that the fall of meteorites do not connote  any foreboding
or ill luck, explaining that many meteorites have fallen at desolate places
where farmers later mix them together with other country rocks.
In his words, "the fall of a meteorite in Sokoto last week, was a natural act
and were  common all over the earth as meteorites can fall any time of the day.
Infact, the explosion  does not connote ill luck or  a result of misguided
military action as happened at Ikeja millitary cantonment in 2000", 
"Thus, we want to let people understand that there is no cause for alarm
whatsover. Meteorites are not aphrodisiacs and neither bring goodluck because
these types of deception happened at Maigateri in Jigawa three years ago where
there was a similar meteorite fall", Ozuabide explained.
According to him, meteorites are rock bodies that fall under gravity to the
earth from other planets and often been indicated passing by during the night as
very bright and dazzling light that moves terribly fast.
He added that they can vary in size from a few grams to many tonnes, noting that
the largest eye witnessed meteorite particles fell in siberia in 1947 and
weighed 23 tonnes. It would 
be recalled that there was pandemonium in Sokoto last week as a result of the
explosion of a strange object which fell  in one Malam Bello Mohammed's  House
and destroyed the roof in Mana village outskirts of  Sokoto.