OHANAEZE NDIGBO PRESS RELEASE – 17TH MARCH 2026

The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, extends its profound sympathies to the families and friends mourning the tragic loss of the five NELAN Consulting Engineers, who became unwitting victims during the peak of the violent communal conflict that erupted between EFFIUM and EZZA-EFFIUM in November 2021. This abhorrent conflict precipitated extensive loss of life and widespread destruction of property, casting a shadow of chaos and insecurity over the affected communities within Ebonyi State.

It is imperative to acknowledge that the engineers from NELAN Consulting Engineering Firm were among the numerous victims ensnared in the turmoil that beset EFFIUM and EZZA-EFFIUM, As Ebonyians and Ndigbo reflects on this hard truth: it’s on public knowledge that several individuals implicated in these savage acts have been apprehended, confessed to their crimes, and are currently remanded in custody. In light of this, Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphatically urges the bereaved families of these engineers, who epitomize our collective grief, to redirect their pursuit of justice towards the appropriate judicial avenues.

We categorically condemn the senseless violence enacted upon innocent individuals during the EFFIUM crisis in 2021. Furthermore, it is on public record that on November 3, 2021, the then-Governor of Ebonyi State, now the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, visited the sites of these tragic events. In his capacity as Governor, he undertook decisive steps to mobilize security agencies with the express intention of ensuring that the perpetrators would face justice.

The anguish and trauma endured by the bereaved families since this calamity cannot be overstated, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to assist them in their quest for redress. We strongly advocate that rather than resorting to protests against Senator Umahi, focus should pivot towards engaging the current Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwaifuru. It is paramount that these families ensure that justice be pursued relentlessly, and that no individual escapes accountability for their actions.

In recognizing that governance is a continuum, we emphasize that the ongoing proceedings remain before a competent court, where justice is being sought for the victims of the EFFIUM crisis. It is crucial to acknowledge that Senator Umahi, as the former Governor, no longer wields authority over this matter. Therefore, the pursuit of justice must be directed through the courts, with the expectation of potential compensation from the Government of Ebonyi State under Governor Nwaifuru’s administration.

In conclusion, while we honor the profound grief stemming from this tragedy, we must advocate for an approach rooted in lawful and constructive actions that facilitate healing and provide closure for the families affected by this grievous episode in our community’s history. The quest for justice is noble, and it requires concerted efforts directed toward the appropriate legal recourse.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Deputy President
Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Chief Chinyeze Ohia
National Spokesman
Ohanaeze Ndigbo