Wives of missing Ebonyi engineers seek FG intervention over 2021 abductions

Wives of five engineers abducted in November 2021 while working on the Abakaliki Ring Road project in Ebonyi State staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja on Monday, calling on the Federal Government to intervene.

The families called on the Federal Government to intervene nearly four years after the incident, citing a lack of information and accountability from authorities regarding the whereabouts of their husbands.

The missing engineers, Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke, and Stanley Nwazulum were reportedly kidnapped while supervising construction on the Abakaliki Ring Road, a project financed by the African Development Bank to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the State capital.

At the time of the abduction, Ebonyi State was under the administration of former governor Dave Umahi, who now serves as Nigeria’s Minister of Works under President Bola Tinubu.

The incident occurred amid growing security challenges in Nigeria’s South-East, where attacks on public infrastructure, construction workers, and government facilities have become increasingly common. Several contractors have reported threats, kidnappings, and disruptions to ongoing projects.

During the protest, the wives and relatives carried placards demanding clarity and justice. Esther Aneke, wife of Samuel Aneke, said:

“He left me in Adamawa on October 30, 2021, to work in Ebonyi. I have not seen him since. I am asking for justice. Please, they should release my husband wherever he is.”

The mother of Stanley Nwazulum also appealed to authorities:

“My son is the youngest among the engineers. He was just 33. Since 2021, I have not seen him; I do not know where he is. I need the government to tell me where my son is.”

Civil society organisations supporting the protest called for greater transparency and diligence in the investigation.

Responding on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works, Ahmad Muhammad, Director of Human Resources said the matter is before a court and falls primarily under the jurisdiction of Ebonyi State.

He urged the protesters to avoid actions that could interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.

“This has to be addressed in Ebonyi, not in this office. This is a federal government office, and this matter is in court,” Muhammad said.

Despite the ministry’s position, the families insisted the Federal Government must intervene due to the project’s international financing and public infrastructure significance.

Security data show that 2021 recorded one of the highest kidnapping rates nationwide. According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, at least 2,944 people were abducted across Nigeria between January and June 2021, underscoring the scale of security challenges affecting infrastructure projects.