Abstract
The study area is located in Lunko Village of Gidan Kwano, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State. It is bounded by Latitude 9031'58.57"N and Longitude 6026'41.63"E. This paper examined the subsurface condition of the area, as indicated by the results of electrical resistivity method. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) using Schlumberger array was carried out at Ten (10) VES stations with a regular direction of N-S azimuth maintained in orientation of the profiles. ABEM Terameter (SAS 1000) was used for the data acquisition. Three profiles (P1, P2 and P3) were laid down with inter-electrode spacing varied from 1.5 to 72,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,72 and 55m at P11, P12, P13, P14, P21, P22, P23, P31, P32 and P33 respectively with total spread length of 105 to 144 m. The field data obtained was analyzed using computer software IPI2win, which gives an automatic interpretation of the apparent resistivity and Surfer 7.0 for geological section. The result suggest that, four geoelectric layers exist in the area, for profile 1(P1) consisting of topsoil made of clayey and sandy-lateritic with resistivity ranging from 355 Ωm to 2186 Ωm and thickness varying from 1.5 to 2.4m, this layer is underlain by weathered basement with resistivity and thickness varying between 16Ωm and 355Ωm and 3.5 to 11.8m, third layer is partly weathered and fractured basement with resistivity and thickness values varying between 305 Ωm to 1009 Ωm and 5.9 to 13 m and fourth layer is presumably fresh basement whose resistivity values vary from 1215 Ωm to 2150 Ωm with an infinite depth. However, the depth from the earth’s surface to the bedrock surface varies between 5.9 to 13 m. Other profiles show similar stratification pattern. Layer 3 at each point has a good subsurface condition because of the stability of its surface and being the thickest layer (28.5 m) than the others with thickness of about 10.16 m (P2) and 2.93 m. Depths to the top of the 3rd layers are about 3.0 m, 9.0 m and 8.0 m respectively. However, for groundwater purposes, P14, P23 and P33 locations has a good water potential i.e. (VES 2 and 3) but P14 is more preferred, this study will consequently help in optimized citing of boreholes and curtail unwarranted spending from indiscriminate and shallow sinking of boreholes.

Key words: Aquifer, fractured, resistivity, thickness, vertical electric soundings, weathered layer