Organisers blame “unknown individuals” for chaos as crowds cart away buses, cash grants, and equipment meant for beneficiaries across South-East states.

An empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement, a pro–President Bola Tinubu support group, was thrown into chaos on Saturday after unidentified individuals reportedly looted items meant for beneficiaries during a rally in Owerri, Imo State.

The event, held at Heroes Square on March 14, 2026, marked the launch of the Renewed Hope National Tour and the City Boy Movement South-East Youth Tour and Empowerment Programme. The initiative was designed to support youths, traders, and vulnerable residents across the five South-East states—Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu.

However, what began as a large empowerment gathering quickly descended into disorder when sections of the crowd surged forward and began carting away the relief items prepared for distribution.

Items lined up for beneficiaries included shuttle buses, sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, barbing kits, wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, smartphones for digital creators, laptops, generator sets, farming tools, fertilizers, salon equipment, and cash grants.

According to the South-East spokesperson of the movement, Chief Uche Nworah, the programme had been progressing peacefully before the disruption.

Nworah said a group of unidentified individuals suddenly stormed the venue and began seizing the items, triggering panic and confusion that eventually led to a stampede among the crowd.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, he said the disruption should not overshadow the programme’s objective of empowering young people and supporting small businesses in the region.

The spokesperson, who was present at the rally, rejected what he described as attempts in some quarters to portray the incident negatively. He suggested that those who looted the materials appeared to be outsiders and hinted at possible attempts to sabotage the event.

The City Boy Movement, led by businessman Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, also dismissed suggestions that the looting was driven by economic hardship or hunger linked to the current administration. Instead, the group maintained that external elements were responsible for the breach.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked mixed reactions online and in media reports. While some accounts claim residents overwhelmed the venue in a rush for the empowerment items, organisers insist the chaos was triggered by unknown individuals who infiltrated the gathering.