The leadership of a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu support group, City Boy Movement, has reacted to the looting of palliative materials during its sensitisation rally in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday.
Items meant for distribution to residents — including food supplies, mobile phones, sewing machines and grinders — had been displayed at the rally organised for the five South-East states.
However, shortly after the distribution exercise began, chaos erupted as members of the crowd rushed forward to grab the items, resulting in a stampede.
The incident has drawn criticism, with many linking the situation to rising hunger in the country under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — the same leader in whose name the donations were being made.
But the City Boy Movement, led by businessman Obinna Iyiegbu, dismissed the claims, suggesting that those who looted the items may have come from outside the venue, possibly in an attempt to disrupt the event.
The spokesperson of the movement in the South-East, Chief Uche Nworah in a statement, said: “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.”