TheCable

A stampede occurred at the Imo government secretariat in Owerri, the state’s capital, on Wednesday.

The stampede ensued after a horde invaded the secretariat where food items had been stockpiled for distribution to civil servants.

The palliatives to cushion the impact of the prevailing economic hardship on workers, were donated by Hope Uzodinma, governor of the state.

However, the invaders reportedly caused a rowdy scene, looted the foodstuffs, and sent workers scampering for safety.

A source who was at the scene told TheCable that several persons sustained injuries during the stampede.

“Part of what led to the stampede was the systematic delay which allowed distribution linger up to 11 pm,” the source said.

“When the governor eventually arrived for the flag-off, although very late, the workers had already waited for too long and became uneasy. He left around past 6 pm.

“One would have thought that the persons in charge of the distribution would postpone the exercise for tomorrow since it was already late and the atmosphere was tense.

“Hours were wasted on collection of data of ministries and staff.

“When it was eventually announced that distribution would be done by physical presence, many workers started calling their colleagues to come over. In an hour, the place was crowded.

“Around 9:15 pm, nothing tangible had been done except collection of data.

“Some persons — I don’t know if they came from outside or are workers, owing to the impenetrable darkness — pounced on the cartons of vegetable oil and tore them to shreds.

“So many people got injured while struggling to get hold of the cartons of vegetable oil.

“Some people who tried to make away with bags of rice were caught by the security men who came in later. Almost half of the full trailer load of vegetable oil was looted by invaders.”

A staff in the ministry of agriculture who pleaded anonymity for this story, said one woman got badly injured after being run over by a car, and was rushed to the hospital.

She said “the woman got home and on hearing that you had to be physically present to get food, she rushed back for the secretariat around 8:20 pm. While she was crossing the road, she got hit by a car”.

TheCable understands that the remaining palliatives were distributed the next day to workers who showed up at their desks.

Raymond Ucheoma, Imo state head of service, did not immediately respond to repeated requests for comments for this story.