By Nkechi Eze
The Office of the David Umahi, Minister of Works, has expressed sympathy to the families of engineers from NELAN Consulting Engineers who lost their lives during the violent Effium–Ezza Effium communal crisis in Ebonyi State, while clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The minister’s office made the clarification following a protest staged by individuals identified as family members and sympathisers of the deceased engineers.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister acknowledged the deep pain associated with the loss of loved ones and described the deaths of the engineers as a painful tragedy.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on November 3, 2021, during the peak of the violent communal conflict between Effium and Ezza Effium communities, a crisis that claimed several lives, destroyed property, and created a climate of severe insecurity in the area.
The minister’s office explained that the engineers were not specifically targeted but were victims of the broader violence that engulfed the communities at the time.
The statement recalled that immediately the incident was reported, Umahi, who was then serving as Governor of Ebonyi State, mobilised security agencies and initiated intensive search and investigative operations aimed at locating the engineers and identifying those responsible.
It added that Umahi personally visited the scene with security operatives and remained directly involved in the search efforts, demonstrating the seriousness with which the state government treated the matter.
The statement further revealed that the investigations led to the arrest of individuals linked to the crime, who reportedly confessed to their involvement.
According to the minister’s office, the suspects have remained in custody since their arrest, and the case is currently before the court, with judicial proceedings continuing even after Umahi left office as governor.
The statement stressed that the government under Umahi neither ignored nor suppressed the matter, noting that prompt investigative measures were taken, arrests were made, and the suspects were handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
The minister’s office also noted that the communal violence that engulfed Effium created an extremely volatile environment that resulted in the loss of many innocent lives, including the engineers.
While expressing deep sympathy to the bereaved families, the minister urged that public discussions about the incident be guided by verified facts and respect for the ongoing judicial process.
The statement added that Umahi remains committed to justice, truth, and the rule of law, while continuing to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their families.
