Families, friends, and supporters of five engineers allegedly killed in Ebonyi State in 2021 have announced plans to stage a peaceful protest in Abuja to demand justice and the release of the victims’ remains. The protest, scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, is expected to take place at the National Assembly grounds between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
The demonstration is being organised by members of the Ihiala community and concerned Nigerians who say they have waited more than four years for answers regarding the fate of the engineers popularly referred to as the “NELAN 5.” According to the organisers, the protest is intended to draw national attention to the unresolved case and to press authorities to disclose the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the engineers.
The group said the five engineers were reportedly killed in Ebonyi State during the administration of former governor Dave Umahi, who currently serves as Nigeria’s Minister of Works. They lamented that despite the passage of several years, the bodies of the victims have yet to be recovered or released to their families for proper burial.
In a notice circulated ahead of the planned protest, the organisers appealed to sons and daughters of the Ihiala community living in Abuja and surrounding areas to join the demonstration and support the call for justice.
“We invite all sons and daughters of Ihiala in Abuja and beyond to join us in seeking justice for the NELAN 5,” the organisers said in the statement.
The protest will be led by Engineer Nelson Onyemeh, who has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts demanding accountability over the deaths of the engineers.
According to the organisers, the demonstration will be peaceful and conducted strictly within the confines of the law. They also disclosed that the relevant security agencies have been notified and that permission has already been obtained from the police to hold the gathering at a designated location.
The protesters are expected to assemble at the National Assembly grounds in Abuja, where they will call on the Ebonyi State Government and other relevant authorities to provide a clear account of the incident and release the bodies of the victims to their families.
To ensure broad participation, the organisers have arranged transportation for protesters travelling from different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Designated departure points include:
- Apo Mechanics area
- Under Karu Bridge
- Dei-Dei Pedestrian Bridge
- Lugbe Bridge
Participants are expected to depart from these locations at 7:00 a.m., allowing them to arrive at the National Assembly venue before the protest officially begins.
The organisers also announced that breakfast would be provided for attendees to support participants during the demonstration.
They urged community members and supporters to turn out in large numbers, emphasising that a strong public presence would amplify their demand for justice.
“We want justice,” the organisers said. “We demand that the Ebonyi State Government and Dave Umahi give us the bodies and ensure justice for the victims.”
The case involving the five engineers has drawn attention in recent years due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding their disappearance while working on a major infrastructure project in Ebonyi State.
The engineers were reportedly involved in construction activities linked to the Abakaliki Ring Road project, a large-scale road development initiative launched during the tenure of Dave Umahi as governor of Ebonyi State.
The project was designed to improve road connectivity and enhance transportation infrastructure in the state.
However, the disappearance and alleged killing of the engineers during the project raised serious questions about security and accountability.
The families of the victims have repeatedly called for thorough investigations into the incident and have accused authorities of failing to provide sufficient information about what happened.
New revelations surrounding the case have further intensified calls for investigation and accountability.
Reports based on phone tracking data suggested that a notorious kidnapper identified as “Small” may have been connected to the disappearance or killing of the engineers.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, phone records and triangulation data allegedly showed repeated communication between the suspect and individuals associated with the Abakaliki Ring Road project.
Among those reportedly linked through phone communications were a lawyer identified as Chioma Nweze and a project coordinator named Felix Otta.
The revelations have raised fresh concerns among the families of the victims, who believe the communications could provide crucial clues regarding what happened to the engineers.
Family members say the information emerged from phone tracking records and testimonies gathered during their independent efforts to uncover the truth.
According to sources within the families of the missing engineers, the individual known as “Small” allegedly contacted relatives of the victims shortly after the engineers disappeared.
The suspect reportedly used the phone number 08088985480 to communicate with the families during that period.
The calls reportedly raised suspicion among relatives, who believe the suspect may have been directly involved in events surrounding the disappearance of the engineers.
However, despite these developments, the case has remained unresolved, with no definitive conclusion reached about the fate of the victims.
This lack of closure has been a major source of anguish for the families, who say they have endured years of uncertainty while seeking answers.
Relatives of the victims say the planned protest in Abuja represents a continuation of their long struggle for justice.
They argue that the absence of the victims’ bodies has made it impossible for the families to achieve closure.
For many of them, recovering the remains of their loved ones is essential for performing proper burial rites and honouring their memory.
They also insist that those responsible for the deaths must be identified and held accountable.
Community leaders involved in the protest said the demonstration is intended to keep the issue in the public eye and ensure that authorities do not ignore the case.
They emphasised that the protest will remain peaceful and focused on seeking justice through lawful means.
The organisers of the protest say they hope the demonstration will compel relevant authorities to reopen investigations into the case and provide transparency about what happened to the engineers.
They also called on national institutions, including the National Assembly and security agencies, to intervene in the matter and ensure that the families receive answers.
As preparations for the protest continue, the families of the NELAN 5 say they remain determined to pursue justice until the truth about the incident is uncovered.
For them, the planned gathering in Abuja is not just a protest—it is a call for accountability, closure, and dignity for the engineers whose lives were tragically cut short.
