(WSBT)In April 2005 a LaPorte businessman was kidnapped by militants near Baghdad. One year later, there’s still no word on Jeffrey Ake.

Video of Ake showed up soon after he disappeared, but the FBI says it doesn’t have any new information. Signs are still up in LaPorte remembering him. People in LaPorte say with hostages like Jill Carroll being released, they wonder even more about Ake.

“They're just wondering what's happening,” LaPorte resident Nancy Ritchie told NEWS22. “Nobody’s saying anything so people are asking why they haven’t [done] anything about Jeff.”

“I mean, it’s a mystery; there hasn’t been a lot of information in the news -- the paper, radio, nothing,” said business owner Greg Hawkins. “So you see someone come home, you wonder what the reason is why he’s still there.”

Ake’s family has stayed quiet, for the most part, about his kidnapping. Tuesday they released a statement inviting the community to acknowledge the anniversary and to pray for his safety. It reads, in part:

I want to thank those who have joined us today, as well as the many people from around the country who could not be with us. The outpouring of support and generosity has helped me immensely. I also want to thank all the people in the various branches of the U.S. Government and the U.S. Military who continue to work to secure Jeff's freedom. I appreciate their persistence and their bravery and am confident that their hard work will lead to success.

I ask that everyone continue to pray for Jeff's quick return and for peace in Iraq.

LaPorte’s mayor says the City Council remembers Ake each time they meet. The council starts each meeting with a prayer.