Plateau Lawmaker Laven Jacob Abducted by Gunmen in Jos: What We Know, Police Response, and Implications for Security in Nigeria

Plateau lawmaker Laven Jacob abducted in Jos by gunmen

In yet another disturbing incident that highlights the growing wave of insecurity in Nigeria, gunmen have abducted Honourable Laven Jacob, the lawmaker representing Pankshin South Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly. 
The abduction, which took place on the night of Monday, September 22, 2025, at his residence in Angwan Kaji, Dong community, Jos North Local Government Area, has thrown the state’s political class, his constituents, and the general public into shock. 
The news comes at a time when kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes continue to pose a major challenge across Nigeria, leaving both public officials and ordinary citizens vulnerable.This article provides a detailed breakdown of the incident, official statements from the police, eyewitness accounts, reactions from community members, the political implications, and a wider discussion about the rising trend of abductions in Nigeria. 

According to close sources and eyewitnesses, Honourable Jacob was returning home on Monday evening when tragedy struck. Reports indicate that the lawmaker had just driven to the entrance of his residence in Angwan Kaji, a semi-urban neighborhood in Jos, when the kidnappers, who had apparently laid an ambush, swooped on him. Eyewitnesses narrated that the assailants forced him out of his vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint. The operation was reportedly swift and executed with precision, raising suspicions that the attackers may have been monitoring his movements before the incident. Two close associates of the victim—one a former aide during his tenure as Vice Chairman of the Pankshin Local Government Area, and another, a staff member of the Plateau State House of Assembly—confirmed the abduction. However, they requested anonymity for fear of their safety, a common trend in Nigeria’s increasingly dangerous political climate.

The Plateau State Police Command has officially confirmed the incident. In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo, the command acknowledged that the abduction took place around 8:00 pm. 
According to the police:

“The Command received a report on 22/09/2025 that one Honourable Danti Laven Jacob was intercepted by unknown hoodlums while driving into his house at about 08:00 pm and abducted to an unknown destination.”

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Rantya Division and the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Jos, mobilized their teams and immediately launched a search operation. Police operatives are said to be combing nearby bushes, forests, and hideouts in a coordinated effort to track down the kidnappers and rescue the lawmaker.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, has reportedly ordered a full-scale operation. He has directed the Area Commander in Bukuru to deploy all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Teams, and Patrol Units within Jos and surrounding areas to intensify manhunt operations. While this response shows seriousness, as of the time of filing this report, no ransom demand or direct contact has been made with the family of Honourable Jacob.

The abduction has sent shockwaves through Plateau State, especially in Pankshin South, where Honourable Jacob is a serving lawmaker. Residents of the Dong community expressed concern that insecurity has now penetrated even urban areas of Jos, which were once considered relatively safer compared to rural villages that have suffered repeated bandit attacks. Local traders, neighbors, and community leaders who spoke to journalists described the incident as “terrifying” and said it highlights the helplessness of citizens in the face of rising abductions.
One resident who spoke under anonymity remarked:

“If a sitting lawmaker with influence and access to security can be abducted at his own residence, what then is the fate of ordinary people like us? This situation is scary.”

Plateau State has long been plagued by ethno-religious violence, banditry, and communal clashes, but in recent years, the wave of kidnappings-for-ransom has worsened.
The state sits strategically in Nigeria’s North-Central region, often referred to as the “Middle Belt,” which has become a hotspot for attacks. Armed groups exploit the difficult terrain—including forests and rocky mountains—to establish hideouts. Abductions in Plateau are often linked to ransom demands. Families, communities, and sometimes even governments are forced to negotiate with criminals to secure the release of victims.
The kidnapping of Honourable Jacob adds to a series of high-profile abductions of politicians, clerics, and businessmen in Plateau and neighboring states like Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue.

The abduction of a sitting lawmaker raises serious political questions:
1. Targeted Attack or Random Crime?
Some political analysts believe Jacob’s abduction could be targeted. As a lawmaker, he has been involved in community mobilization, political debates, and constituency projects, which may have made him a person of interest either to criminals seeking ransom or adversaries seeking to weaken his influence.

2. Security of Public Officials
The incident raises doubts about the safety of elected officials, especially at the state level. If lawmakers who make policies are not secure, the general public is even more vulnerable.

3. Impact on Governance
Jacob’s absence could impact representation for Pankshin South Constituency, at least temporarily, and might slow legislative processes at the Plateau State House of Assembly.

Kidnapping is no longer an isolated issue—it is now a national crisis. According to reports from security think tanks, Nigeria records hundreds of kidnappings every month, with millions of naira paid in ransoms.
The motivations vary:

• Some kidnappers seek quick financial gains.
• Others use abduction as a tool for political bargaining or intimidation.
• In some cases, bandits kidnap to fund larger terror networks.

The abduction of Honourable Jacob highlights how no one is safe, regardless of social status, political office, or economic standing.
Human rights activists, security experts, and community leaders are urging the Plateau State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to act decisively.
Security experts argue that:

1. There is a need for better intelligence gathering to track criminals before they strike.
2. Security agencies should adopt technology-driven surveillance, including drones and trackers.
3. There must be community policing models where locals cooperate with formal security forces.
4. Political observers insist that the abduction of a sitting lawmaker is a direct challenge to the government’s authority and must not be taken lightly.

Honourable Laven Jacob is a respected politician in Plateau State. Before being elected to the Plateau State House of Assembly, he served as the vice chairman of the Pankshin Local Government Area. He is known for his grassroots connections, particularly in Pankshin South, where he has championed several development initiatives. Jacob is described by colleagues as humble, approachable, and dedicated to the welfare of his constituents. His abduction is therefore not just a political event but also a personal tragedy for the many people who depend on his leadership.

As police intensify their rescue efforts, several possible scenarios may unfold:
1. Negotiation and Ransom Payment – Historically, many kidnapping cases in Nigeria end with families or communities paying ransom.
2. Police Rescue Operation – Security forces may succeed in rescuing Jacob, though this often comes with risks of confrontation.
3. Extended Captivity—In some cases, victims remain in captivity for weeks or months before release.
For now, the people of Plateau State wait anxiously for news about his safety.

The abduction of Honourable Laven Jacob underscores the deepening security crisis facing Plateau State and Nigeria at large. It is a painful reminder that no one is immune from the menace of kidnappers—not even lawmakers entrusted with making laws to protect society.
Until government at all levels takes bold and decisive action, the cycle of abductions, ransom payments, and insecurity will continue to haunt Nigerians.
For now, all eyes remain on the Plateau State Police Command and other security agencies as they work tirelessly to secure the lawmaker’s safe return.


By PrimeLineInfo