By Victor Nwegede
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stated that the Ebonyi State Government under his leadership did not abandon the investigation into the tragic killing of engineers working with NELAN Consulting Engineers, stressing that suspects arrested in connection with the incident are already facing prosecution.
In a press statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the Minister described the death of the engineers as a painful tragedy that occurred during the height of the violent communal conflict between Effium and Ezza Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Minister expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased engineers and acknowledged the grief and emotional trauma associated with the loss of loved ones, emphasizing that no family deserves to endure such a painful experience.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on November 3, 2021, at a time when the Effium and Ezza Effium crisis had escalated into widespread violence, resulting in significant loss of lives and destruction of property across the area.
The statement clarified that the engineers were not deliberately singled out but became unfortunate victims of the broader insecurity and breakdown of law and order that characterized the communal conflict during that period. “Upon receiving information about the disappearance of the engineers, the then Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, immediately directed security agencies to commence coordinated search and rescue operations,” the statement said.
It further noted that Umahi personally visited the affected area alongside security operatives as part of efforts to assess the situation and intensify the search for the missing engineers while ensuring that law enforcement agencies carried out a thorough investigation.
The statement disclosed that the investigative efforts led to the arrest of individuals suspected to have participated in the crime.
According to the Minister’s media office, those apprehended reportedly confessed to their involvement in the incident and have since remained in custody while the matter proceeds through the judicial process. "The suspects were duly handed over to the appropriate authorities, and the case is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction. The judicial process is ongoing,” the statement added.
The Minister therefore rejected insinuations that the Ebonyi State Government under his watch failed to act or suppressed the matter, insisting that all necessary security and legal procedures were initiated promptly following the incident.
It emphasized that the administration treated the matter with utmost seriousness, given the sensitivity of the tragedy and the broader security implications arising from the communal conflict at the time.
The statement further recalled that the Effium crisis represented one of the most severe communal disturbances in the state’s recent history, requiring extensive security interventions and peace-building measures to restore stability to the area.
Umahi reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of justice, rule of law, and accountability, while urging the public to allow the judicial process to run its full course without interference or misrepresentation of facts.
While reiterating his condolences to the bereaved families, the Minister assured that he continues to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased engineers and for strength and comfort for their loved ones.
He also called for responsible public discourse on the matter, urging stakeholders to remain guided by verified facts and the ongoing judicial proceedings.
