RELIEF has returned to Plateau State following the release of Hon. Laven Denty Jacob, the lawmaker representing Pankshin South constituency at the Plateau State House of Assembly, who was abducted from his residence earlier in the week.
News Point Nigeria reports that Jacob was kidnapped on Monday night at his residence in Anguwan Kagji, Dong community, Jos North Local Government Area, sparking widespread concern among residents and political leaders in the state.
Confirming the development to journalists on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Kwarpo Sylvanus, said the legislator had been freed and reunited with his family in good health.
“He has been successfully released but we are yet to ascertain whether any ransom was paid. All we know is that he was released yesterday night,” Sylvanus said.
He added that Jacob was in stable condition and had not suffered any visible harm during the ordeal.
Hon. Sylvanus urged residents across Plateau State to remain security conscious, noting that criminal activities were on the rise in many communities. He called on citizens to report suspicious movements promptly to security agencies and also strengthen community-based vigilante efforts.
“We appreciate the swift response of the security agencies and the cooperation of citizens. Given the state of insecurity, we encourage residents to form vigilante groups to secure their neighbourhoods,” he said.
He further assured that the Plateau State House of Assembly would continue to push for legislation aimed at improving the state’s security architecture and protecting citizens from recurrent criminal attacks.
The abduction of Hon. Jacob came just ten days after a corps member and a University of Jos student were kidnapped in the same area, highlighting the growing wave of insecurity in Jos and surrounding communities.
Residents have expressed deep concerns over the frequent incidents, with many calling on both state and federal authorities to step up security measures and deploy more resources to Plateau’s volatile flashpoints.
While details of Jacob’s release remain unclear, his safe return has been widely welcomed as a rare piece of good news in a state still grappling with violent crimes, kidnappings, and communal clashes.
