Families Protest 2021 Disappearance of NELAN Engineers in Ebonyi State
Family members of NELAN Consulting Engineering personnel yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the gate of the Ministry of Works, demanding explanations into the disappearance of their loved ones in Ebonyi State in 2021. During the demonstration, wives and relatives carried placards, urging the Federal Government to intervene and ensure justice for the abducted engineers.
Emotional Appeals from Family Members
Speaking during the protest, Esther Aneke, wife of Samuel Aneke, appealed to the government to help locate her husband or clarify his fate. "My name is Mrs Esther Aneke. I am the wife of engineer Samuel Chibike Aneke, who went to work. He left me in Adamawa on October 30, 2021, to Ebonyi. He left me two months and two weeks pregnant. I've been like that up to now. I have not seen him; I didn't see his corpse. Please, I am asking for justice. Please, they should release my husband wherever he is," she said.
Also speaking was the mother of Stanley Nwazulum, who described the emotional and financial toll of her son's disappearance. "My son is the youngest among the engineers. He was just 33. He used to be responsible for my hospital bills. Since 2021, I have not seen him; I do not know where he is. Please, I need justice for my son. I need the government to tell me where my son is," she said.
Government Response and Minister's Statement
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who was the sitting governor of Ebonyi State at the time, debunked insinuations that he did not act during the tragedy. The minister explained that he suffered personal pains and initiated an investigation, noting that the matter is still in court and justice will eventually be delivered.
In a response, Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works, said: "First and foremost, the Minister acknowledges the deep pain that comes with the loss of loved ones. The death of the NELAN engineers remains a painful tragedy. No family deserves such grief, and the Minister understands the weight of that loss. As Governor of Ebonyi State at the time, Senator Umahi shared in that pain and treated the matter with the seriousness it deserved."
Context of the Incident
For clarity and public record, it is important to emphasise that the incident occurred on November 3, 2021. The unfortunate disappearance of the engineers happened at the height of the violent Effium vs. EzzaEffium communal conflict, a crisis that consumed lives and properties and threw the area into severe insecurity. The engineers were not singled out in isolation; they were victims of a wider conflict that tragically claimed many lives during that period.
Umahi said immediately the information about the incident reached him, he swiftly mobilised security agencies and launched intensive search and investigative efforts to determine the whereabouts of the engineers and bring the perpetrators to justice. According to the SSA, the minister personally visited the incident site with security operatives and was directly involved in the search efforts.
Arrests and Judicial Process
"He never treated the matter lightly and never looked away from the responsibility of the state to pursue the truth. 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," Nwaze stated.
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.
Minister's Sympathy and Commitment
The Honourable Minister wishes to reiterate that he never wished for such a tragedy to occur. The communal violence that engulfed Effium at the time created a dangerous environment that sadly led to the loss of many innocent lives, including the NELAN engineers. As Governor then, he worked tirelessly to restore order and address the conflict that had devastated the area.
While the Minister sympathises deeply with the families and understands their grief, it is important that public discourse on this painful matter remains guided by facts and the ongoing judicial process. Senator David Umahi remains committed to justice, truth, and the rule of law, and he continues to pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for strength for their families.
