Effium–Ezza conflict claimed NELAN Engineers, Umahi denies allegations

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 16, 2026 — Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi has denied any involvement in the disappearance of NELAN Consulting engineers who went missing during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State.

Families of the deceased engineers have recently suggested that Umahi has questions to answer. However, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Francis Nwaze, on March 16, Umahi stressed that he treated the incident of November 3, 2021, with utmost seriousness. He explained that the disappearance was linked to the Effium–Ezza Effium communal conflict, which claimed lives and properties, noting that the engineers were victims of the wider violence rather than being singled out.

Umahi said his administration worked closely with security agencies, launched intensive search and investigative efforts, visited the site of the incident, and directly participated in recovery operations. “These efforts led to the arrest of individuals involved in the dastardly act. Those arrested confessed to committing the crime, and they have remained in custody since then. The matter is still before the court, and the judicial process continues even after Senator Umahi left office as Governor,” the statement read.

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He added: “It must therefore be clearly understood that the government under Senator Umahi did not abandon the matter, suppress it, or fail to act. 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.” Umahi reiterated that he never wished for such tragedy, describing the communal violence as a devastating conflict that claimed many innocent lives, including the engineers.

The Effium–Ezza crisis, though formally addressed by the current Ebonyi State Government by the creation of Alaoma Community, remains largely unresolved. Effium, once a bustling agrarian and trading hub, is still desolate, scarred by perennial land disputes, battles over motor park control, and competition for economic resources such as forests and mineral deposits. Hundreds have died, many remain missing, and arms proliferation continues to fuel sporadic attacks. Analysts warn that disarmament may be the next critical step toward lasting peace after the government’s peace plan implementation.  

Recall that the ring road running through Effium to Iziogo, Nwofe, Iboko, Nwezenyi, and eventually connecting to Abakaliki was constructed in the heat of the crisis, as the then-governor vowed to press ahead with his electoral promises despite the war. It remains unclear whether the engineers were victims of mistaken identity, caught in the crossfire of a conflict that has shown little signs of abating.