The Forum of Past Members of the State Executive Council of Enugu State received with shock and utmost disbelief, the news of the kidnap, brutal and heinous assassination, of our colleague, Engr. Dons Udeh, whose body was found dumped at the 9th Mile area of Enugu State, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
2. When he was declared
missing on Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Forum prayed fervently for his safe return to his family and we are traumatized, hurt, and dejected that our colleague has paid the supreme sacrifice and has been cut down in such barbaric and fiendish manner in his prime, leaving behind very young children.
3. The contributions of Engr. Dons Udeh towards deepening the democratic process in Enugu State, and Nigeria as a whole can not be overemphasized. He was a political mobilizer and workhorse par excellence, whose political journey saw him occupying various high profile political positions in Enugu State, and at the Federal level.
4. That a man of his stature could be brazenly abducted in broad daylight and assassinated without a clue as to the satanic perpetrators of this crime, goes to underscore the depth of hopelessness to which the security of our state has sunk. The gruesome abduction and murder of Engr. Dons Udeh is one of the many high-profile murders, abductions and assassinations that Enugu State has unfortunately witnessed in recent times. The cold blooded assassination of the former Chairman of Oji River, and Commissioner for Rural Development, Chief Nze Gab Onuzulike and his brother, the assassination and burning of the bodies of the erstwhile Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Barr
Oyibo Chukwu and his driver, and the equally gruesome murder of Engr Kevin Ojobo, are but a few of the killings that have occurred in the very recent past, apparently without any repercussions.
5. We condemn in the strongest terms, the lack of capacity and ineffectiveness of relevant government security agencies who it appears, are failing to vigorously investigate the wave of wanton criminality that has enveloped our dear state in recent times. One has not heard of the arrest and prosecution of any culprit in these crimes. Our dear Coal City is fast losing its prized and coveted serene and tranquil state, leading to citizens living in abject and mortified fear.
6. We are determined that the murder of Engr. Dons Udeh will not join the list of those unsolved murders swept under the carpet. We promise to keep his case frontline and center stage until the relevant security agencies do the needful and bring the culprits to book. We call on the government of the day to direct the law enforcement agencies to redouble their efforts, do the necessary investigations and fish out the culpable persons involved in this criminality to face the wrath of the law. We are already aware, that he left his house to honour an invitation, so it is trite that his movements should be traced from this last known activity of his. Technology should be utilised to know those who spoke with Engr Dons Ude on that fateful Saturday. There are copious opportunities for investigations that will lead to the discovery of the assassins, and we respectfully but firmly, call on the government and law enforcement agencies to step up to this responsibilities. Meanwhile, we call on the incoming government to ensure that government is focused on ensuring the peace and security hitherto enjoyed in Enugu State.
7. Our hearts go out to his immediate family at this trying time for the irreplaceable loss of their loved one. We assure them of our continued concern for their welfare and promise them that our bond with their husband and father will not be extinguished by this crime that underscores the depravity that has become our new reality.
8. Our colleague and friend, a man of mirth and humour, an irrepressible spirit, a courageous person, Engr. Dons Udeh, we shall never forget you and we shall not rest till the circumstances of your untimely and hideous death are unravelled.
Rest in peace until we meet again.
