The leadership of the City Boy Movement, a support group for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has raised concerns over the looting of palliative materials during its sensitization rally in Owerri on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
The items, including food supplies, phones, sewing machines, grinders, and other empowerment materials, were intended for distribution to vulnerable citizens across the five South-East states: Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu. They were displayed at the venue as part of the City Boy Movement’s South-East Youth Tour and Empowerment Programme, which coincided with the Renewed Hope National Tour.
However, the distribution quickly descended into chaos as unknown individuals stormed the venue and began carting away the items, triggering panic and a stampede. Many observers blamed the incident on the high level of hunger and economic hardship in the country under President Tinubu.
The City Boy Movement, led by businessman Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, has dismissed claims that the disruption was caused by beneficiaries, suggesting instead that the looters were outsiders aiming to sabotage the event.
Chief Uche Nworah, the movement’s spokesperson in the South-East, said 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. 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.”
The empowerment items included shuttle buses, sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, barbing kits, wheelchairs, smartphones for content creators, generator sets, laptops, cash grants, farming kits, fertilizers, and hair salon equipment. Despite the disruption, the City Boy Movement emphasized that the programme’s overall mission of youth and community empowerment remains intact.