Effium Unrest: Engineers from NELAN Fell Prey to Inter-Community Violence, Not Deliberate Attack — Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has shed light on the disappearance of engineers from NELAN Consulting Engineers during the Effium crisis in Ebonyi State, stating that they fell victim to the broader communal violence between Effium and Ezza-Effium communities, rather than being targeted specifically.

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According to Umahi, the engineers' disappearance occurred at the peak of the violent conflict, which resulted in widespread destruction and insecurity in the area, claiming numerous lives and properties.

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In a statement issued by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, Umahi revealed that the engineers were among the many victims of the crisis that engulfed the area at the time, with several suspects arrested, confessing to the crime, and currently in custody as the case continues in court.

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The statement noted that the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works had been made aware of a protest by family members and sympathisers of the late engineers of NELAN Consulting Engineers, prompting Umahi to express his sympathy with the families of the deceased, describing their deaths as a painful tragedy.

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Umahi emphasized that no family deserves to experience such grief, and as the then Governor of Ebonyi State, he had treated the matter with the seriousness it deserved, sharing in the pain of the families.

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The incident, which occurred on November 3, 2021, during the height of the communal conflict in Effium, prompted the then governor to mobilise security agencies and initiate an intensive search and investigation to determine the whereabouts of the engineers and apprehend those responsible.

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Umahi personally visited the scene of the incident with security operatives, participating in efforts to uncover what happened, which ultimately led to the arrest of individuals involved in the crime, with those arrested confessing to the act and remaining in custody since then.

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The case, still before the court, has continued to progress through the judicial process even after Umahi left office as governor in 2023, with the administration under Umahi ensuring that swift investigative steps were taken and suspects were handed over to the justice system for prosecution.

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Umahi stressed that the communal violence in Effium created a perilous environment that claimed several innocent lives, including the NELAN engineers, and while extending his condolences to the families of the victims, he urged that public discussions on the matter should be guided by facts and respect for the ongoing judicial process.

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Umahi reaffirmed his commitment to justice, truth, and the rule of law, praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their families, as the judicial process continues to unfold.