The leadership of a support group of President Bola Tinubu, City Boy Movement, has spoken on the looting of palliative materials during its sensitization rally in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday.
The materials, including food items, phones, sewing machines and grinders, among others, which were to be distributed to people, were displayed at the venue of the rally organised for the five South-East states.
But soon after the commencement of the distribution exercise, trouble broke out, with the crowd surging forward to grab the items, leading to a stampede.
Many have blamed the action on the level of hunger in the country, under the presidency of Bola Tinubu, the same man in whose name the movement was making the donations.
But City Boy Movement, led by businessman Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana, has debunked the claims, insinuating that those who looted the items meant for distribution came from outside, meaning it could be a plot 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.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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