Families of Abducted Ebonyi Engineers Petition Federal Government Over Security Agency Delays
Families of five construction engineers who disappeared in November 2021 have urgently appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in their case, citing what they describe as deliberate delays, conspiracy, and a lack of accountability from security agencies.
Formal Petition to National Leadership
In a detailed petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the legal representatives from CNO Attorneys are acting on behalf of the wives and relatives of the missing engineers. The engineers were employees of NELAN Construction Limited at the time of their abduction.
The lawyers emphasized that the victims were on official duty as consultants supervising a ring road project in Ebonyi State, which is funded by the African Development Bank. They described the engineers as law-abiding citizens and professionals who were traveling for legitimate work when they went missing.
Allegations of Security Agency Failures
The petition expresses deep frustration over what the families call a disproportionate and suspicious delay by security agencies, specifically the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, in determining the whereabouts of the victims. Since the incident, no meaningful information has been provided about the fate of these individuals, who are husbands, fathers, and primary breadwinners for their families.
Furthermore, the investigation process has allegedly been marred by intrigues and conspiracies. A key example cited is the sudden dismissal of DSS investigation officer Victor Onyesom and the confiscation of his work tools at a critical stage of the probe. The lawyers argue that this continued failure to locate the engineers or prosecute those responsible violates Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates the government to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens.
Background of the Abduction
The missing engineers have been identified as:
- Nelson Onyemeh
- Ernest Edeani
- Ikechukwu Ejiofor
- Samuel Aneke
- Stanley Nwazulum
According to the petition, the abduction occurred in the Effium community of Ebonyi State amid tensions linked to disagreements over the execution of the AfDB-funded project. Disputes reportedly arose between the lead consultant and the then administration of Governor Dave Umahi over contract terms, which the engineers resisted altering.
Controversial State Government Announcement
The families have raised serious concerns about the Ebonyi State government's public announcement that the engineers had been killed and buried, even before security agencies concluded their investigations. They question how such information became available ahead of official investigative outcomes, noting that this announcement heightened their anxieties and deepened suspicions surrounding the case.
This development occurred as investigations were said to be nearing a decisive stage before being disrupted, adding to the families' distress and confusion.
Demands for Justice and Transparency
The petitioners are demanding that the Federal Government take immediate action to:
- Produce the missing engineers or provide conclusive evidence of their fate
- Ensure a transparent and thorough investigation into the abduction
- Bring all perpetrators and masterminds to justice without further delay
All efforts by the families to obtain answers have so far yielded no results, leaving them in a state of prolonged uncertainty and grief. The case highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's security and justice systems, particularly in handling high-profile abductions involving professionals on official assignments.
