NELAN Engineers’ K!lling: Minister Umahi Breaks Silence After Families Protest, Blames Inc!dent On Effium–Ezza Effium Communal Crisis
NELAN Engineers’ Killing: Minister Umahi Breaks Silence After Families Protest, Blames Incident On Effium–Ezza Effium Communal Crisis
The protest, which took place on Monday, drew attention to the painful killing and disappearance of engineers working with NELAN Consulting Engineers during the height of the communal crisis in the area.
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reacted to the protest staged by families and sympathisers of the late engineers of NELAN Consulting Engineers, describing their deaths as a tragic consequence of the violent communal conflict between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium.
The protest, which took place on Monday, drew attention to the painful killing and disappearance of engineers working with NELAN Consulting Engineers during the height of the communal crisis in the area.
In a statement issued Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister acknowledged the grief of the affected families while insisting that the incident was thoroughly investigated during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State.
According to the statement, Umahi expressed deep sympathy for the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.
The statement read, “First and foremost, the Minister acknowledges the deep pain that comes with the loss of loved ones. The death of the NELAN engineers remains a painful tragedy. No family deserves such grief, and the Honourable Minister understands the weight of that loss.”
The minister’s office also stressed that the incident occurred on November 3, 2021, during one of the most violent periods of the Effium–Ezza Effium communal conflict.
Nwaze explained that the engineers were not singled out for attack but were victims of the larger violence that engulfed the area at the time.
“The unfortunate disappearance of the engineers occurred at the height of the violent Effium vs. Ezza Effium communal conflict, a crisis that consumed lives and properties and threw the area into severe insecurity.
“The engineers were not singled out in isolation; they were victims of a wider conflict that tragically claimed many lives during that period.”
The crisis between Effium and Ezza Effium communities had escalated into widespread violence, resulting in numerous deaths, displacement of residents, and destruction of homes and property.
Nwaze said that once news of the disappearance of the engineers reached him while he was serving as governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi immediately mobilized security agencies and initiated a search operation to locate the missing engineers and apprehend those responsible.
“Immediately the information about the incident reached the then Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, CON, he swiftly mobilised security agencies and launched intensive search and investigative efforts to determine the whereabouts of the engineers and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
It further revealed that Umahi personally visited the scene of the incident alongside security operatives to supervise search and rescue operations.
“He personally visited the incident site with security operatives and was directly involved in the search efforts. He never treated the matter lightly and never looked away from the responsibility of the state to pursue the truth.”
According to the minister’s spokesperson, the investigation eventually led to the arrest of suspects who allegedly confessed to carrying out the crime.
“These efforts led to the arrest of individuals involved in the dastardly act. Those arrested confessed to committing the crime, and they have remained in custody since then.”
The statement added that the matter is still before the court and continues to be prosecuted even after Umahi left office as governor.
“The matter is still before the court, and the judicial process continues even after Senator Umahi left office as Governor.”
The minister’s office insisted that the government under Umahi did not abandon the matter or attempt to suppress it.
“It must therefore be clearly understood that the government under Senator Umahi did not abandon the matter, suppress it, or fail to act. Swift investigative actions were taken, arrests were made, and the suspects were handed over to the justice system, where the case continues to be prosecuted.”
The minister also expressed sympathy to the families of the slain engineers, describing the incident as one of the painful consequences of the communal violence that plagued Effium at the time.
“The Honourable Minister wishes to reiterate that he never wished for such a tragedy to occur. The communal violence that engulfed Effium at the time created a dangerous environment that sadly led to the loss of many innocent lives, including the NELAN engineers.”
“As Governor then, he worked tirelessly to restore order and address the conflict that had devastated the area,” the statement said.
Umahi urged the public to allow the judicial process to run its course while discussions about the tragedy continue.
“While the Minister sympathises deeply with the families and understands their grief, it is important that public discourse on this painful matter remains guided by facts and the ongoing judicial process.”
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to justice and the rule of law while praying for the families of the deceased engineers.
“Senator Engr. David Umahi remains committed to justice, truth, and the rule of law, and he continues to pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for strength for their families.”
