Former Ebonyi Governor and current Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has stated that the disappearance of five NELAN engineers in Effium was a result of broader communal conflict, highlighting the challenges of maintaining security during regional unrest.
In a statement released by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, on Monday, Umahi clarified that the engineers; Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke, and Stanley Nwazulum, were not specifically targeted but became victims of violence that engulfed the Effium and Ezza-Effium communities. The men were reportedly abducted in November 2021 while supervising the Abakaliki Ring Road project, financed by the African Development Bank, and have not been seen since.
Umahi, who served as Ebonyi State governor from 2015 to 2023, said he understands the deep grief experienced by the families. He emphasized that he treated the matter with the utmost seriousness, mobilizing security operatives, personally visiting the incident site, and overseeing intensive investigations.
“These efforts led to the arrest of individuals involved in the dastardly act. Those arrested confessed and have remained in custody since”, Umahi stated. He added that the trial continues in court even after he left office.
The minister reiterated that his administration did not abandon the case or suppress investigations.
“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”, he said.
Umahi expressed sympathy for the families and noted that the communal violence in Effium created a dangerous environment that tragically led to the loss of many lives, including the NELAN engineers.
“I never wished for this tragedy”, he said.
Prior to Monday’s peaceful protest, the wives of the missing engineers petitioned President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, seeking federal intervention. The petition, submitted through CNO Attorneys on March 10, called for the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to account for the missing engineers, intensify investigative efforts, and prosecute those responsible.
The petitioners also alleged setbacks in the investigation, including the removal of SSS officer Victor Onyesom, who had been handling the case, and the seizure of his investigative laptop, which they said contained crucial evidence.
They described the years of uncertainty over their husbands’ disappearance as agonizing and demanded decisive action from the authorities.
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