The families of five engineers from NELAN Construction Limited, who were kidnapped in 2021 while working on the Abakaliki Ring Road project in Ebonyi State, staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja. Nearly four years after the abduction, their wives expressed their growing frustration at the prolonged silence from authorities regarding the fate of their husbands. Despite the significant time that has elapsed, there has been a noticeable lack of clear communication or accountability from the Nigerian government concerning the missing individuals.

The engineers – Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke, and Stanley Nwazulum – were taken by armed men during their supervision of the construction project, which was aimed at addressing traffic issues and enhancing connectivity in the capital of Ebonyi State. The protest was supported by various civil society organisations, indicating a broader concern about safety and security for workers in critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria. The families' demand for answers highlights the ongoing issues regarding kidnapping and public safety in the region.

The Abakaliki Ring Road project itself was financed by the African Development Bank and was part of a broader initiative to improve infrastructure in the state. The ongoing impunity surrounding such abductions raises alarm about the safety of workers in Nigeria, particularly in areas plagued by violence and crime. The protest serves as a reminder of the urgent need for government action to safeguard citizens, restore confidence in public safety measures, and improve communication regarding the status of investigations into such crimes.