Imo civil servants on Thursday fled their offices at the state secretariat over rumour of impending attack by gunmen.
Senior and junior staff of various ministries scampered for safety when the rumour of a looming attack was circulated in the ministry.
The main entrance gate to the secretariat was locked up while the exit gate was opened for the workers to escape.
Those coming into the secretariat were disallowed from entering the premises.
The situation caused heavy stampede at the exit gate, while heavy security operatives were mobilised at the scene.
One of the workers newsmen on condition of anonymity that trouble started when they observed that the shuttle buses for workers were all packed at the ministry, hence the apprehension.
“We saw all the shuttle buses at the premises of the secretariat and when we confronted the drivers on why they have shut down operation, they said there was signal of attack.
“The news circulated immediately that gunmen had planned to attack the state secretariat, that is why the whole workers fled the area”, he said.
Another civil servant, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said they would remain at home until the crises calm.
He said many people were already stampeded at the exit gate.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Declan Emelumba told reporters that some of the civil servants had vacated their offices in the secretariat in panic as a result of false alarm of alleged attack of the state secretariat.
He attributed the false alarm to the ” hand work of the opposition” whom he said are bent on destabilising the good works of Gov. Hope Uzodimma.
Emelumba, however, said that the situation had been brought under control as there was no cause for alarm.
He called on the workers not to panic but resume their normal duties .
The Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Imo Chapter Comrade Austin Chilakpu could not be reached at the filing of this report as his phone was switched off.
