Umahi Denies Negligence in Engineers' Killing Case

David Umahi, the former governor of Ebonyi State, has denied allegations of negligence regarding the unresolved killing of five engineers from Nelan Consult, who were supervising the Abakaliki ring road project financed by the African Development Bank (AFDB). The engineers (Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Anek, and Stanlei Nwazulum) were abducted on November 3, 2021, amid violent clashes between the Effium and Ezza Effium communities.

Umahi's administration has faced protests from family members of the victims demanding justice. In response, Umahi stated that the state government has not abandoned the case and expressed sympathy for the victims' families, describing the incident as a tragedy.

He emphasized that the matter is being treated seriously, with investigations leading to the arrest of suspects who allegedly confessed to the crime. The case remains in court, and the government continues to pursue justice for the victims.