[meteorite-list] NGSA Dispels Rumour (Sokoto-Nigeria)

[Mike Groetz]

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

Meteorite Fall: NGSA Dispels Rumour
>From Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto, 01.19.2008

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.



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