By Joy Onu
The office of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has responded to protests by family members and sympathizers of engineers from NELAN Consulting Engineers, describing their deaths as a tragic outcome of the violent Effium–Ezza Effium communal conflict in Ebonyi State.
The engineers were among many victims of the wider communal crisis in Effium, which resulted in significant loss of life and extensive destruction of property.
In a press statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister, David Umahi, expressed sympathy with the grieving families and acknowledged the pain caused by the incident, which occurred on November 3, 2021.
The statement noted that the engineers disappeared during the peak of the crisis, a period marked by widespread destruction and multiple deaths.
The minister’s office said that upon receiving news of the incident during Umahi’s tenure as governor of Ebonyi State, security agencies were immediately mobilized to locate the missing engineers and apprehend those responsible.
It added that the former governor personally visited the scene with security operatives as part of efforts to track down the perpetrators and understand the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
Investigations later led to the arrest of suspects linked to the killings, the office said, noting that the suspects reportedly confessed and have remained in custody while the case continues through the judicial process.
The release further stated that the Effium crisis created widespread insecurity in the area, claiming the lives of several innocent people, including the engineers.
While extending condolences to the bereaved families, Umahi urged that public discussions be guided by facts and respect for the ongoing legal proceedings.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to justice and the rule of law, while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their families.
