The leadership of the City Boy Movement, a support group for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reacted to the looting of palliative materials during its sensitization rally in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday.
The items, which included food supplies, mobile phones, sewing machines, grinders, and other empowerment materials, were displayed at the venue of the rally organised for participants from the five South-East states.
However, shortly after the distribution exercise began, chaos erupted as members of the crowd surged forward to grab the items, resulting in a stampede.
Some observers blamed the incident on widespread economic hardship in the country under President Tinubu, whose name the support group invoked while distributing the items.
But the City Boy Movement, led by businessman Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, rejected that claim, suggesting that those who looted the materials were outsiders who may have intended to disrupt the event.
The spokesperson of the movement in the South-East, Uche Nworah, stated in a statement:
“While the disruption was regrettable, it should not overshadow the positive intentions and efforts behind the programme, which was designed to support and empower young people, market traders, and some vulnerable people across the South-East.
“The Renewed Hope National Tour and the City Boy Movement South-East Youth Tour and Empowerment Programme, which officially kicked off on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Heroes Square in the beautiful city of Owerri, Imo State, was progressing smoothly and successfully.
“The empowerment items to beneficiaries from the five Southeast states: Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu states, included: shuttle buses, sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, barbing kits, wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, smartphones for content creators, generator sets, laptops, cash grants, farming kits and fertilizers, hair salon equipment etc.
“However, the atmosphere changed when some unidentified individuals suddenly stormed the venue and began carting away items meant for the empowerment programme. This unexpected disruption created panic within the crowd and unfortunately resulted in a stampede.
“I was present at the event and witnessed what transpired firsthand. It is therefore quite unfortunate to see the negative spin being given to the incident in some quarters.”
