THE Nigerian government warned on Wednesday of a possible eruption of the largest volcano in neighbouring Cameroon this year and said it considered the danger serious. Information Minister Jerry Gana told reporters after a cabinet meeting that Nigeria had received warnings that an eruption of the 4070 metre Mount Cameroon was imminent. ”We have had one or two eruptions. Scientific studies (commissioned by Nigeria) have shown that the next eruption may be this year,” he said. The government was particularly alarmed by the possibility of noxious gases polluting the air and of released chemicals contaminating the natural water supplies in the border area, he said. Mount Cameroon, which lies in southwest Cameroon close to the border with Nigeria, last had a major eruption in 1999 forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes on its slopes. – Sapa-AFP