Protest: Umahi speaks on death of NELAN engineers in Effium war zone 

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The Minister of works, David Umahi on Monday reacted to the protest staged by persons identified as family members and sympathizers of the late engineers of NELAN Consulting Engineers, who was murdered in Effium war zone.

Umahi, in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by the senior special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, said the killers of NELAN Engineers in Effium were arrested and still in prison.

The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Office of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has been drawn to the protest that occurred today by persons identified as family members and sympathizers of the late engineers of NELAN Consulting Engineers.

“First and foremost, the Honourable Minister acknowledge 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. 

“As Governor of Ebonyi State at the time, Senator Umahi shared in that pain and treated the matter with the seriousness it deserved.

“For the purpose of clarity and public record, it is important to emphasize that the incident occurred on November 3, 2021.

“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.

“Immediately the information about the incident reached the then Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, he swiftly mobilized security agencies and launched intensive search and investigative efforts to determine the whereabouts of the engineers and bring the perpetrators to justice. 

“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.

“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 matter is still before the court, and the judicial process continues even after Senator Umahi left office as Governor.

“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 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.

“While the Minister sympathize deeply with the families and understand their grief, it is important that public discourse on this painful matter remains guided by facts and the ongoing judicial process.

“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” the statement stressed.