Police have arrested nine alleged members of a kidnapping and mugging gang operating in the Adabor–Shyamoli area of Dhaka over the abduction and extortion of a Dhaka University student.
The arrestees were identified as Zahid Hossain, 20; Hossain Ahmed alias Sifat, 25; Yasin alias Azman, 27; Ariful Islam, 23; Mahim Chowdhury Akash, 20; Sakib, 24; Sohel Rana, 24; Md Nayeem, 23; and Md Murtaza Tamim, 26.
The information was disclosed by Md Fazlul Karim, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the Tejgaon Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Wednesday.
He said police had recently received multiple reports of abduction and extortion in the Adabor area. Earlier, Mohammadpur Police Station had also arrested members of another gang involved in similar crimes.
According to Fazlul Karim, the Dhaka University student arrived at the Shyamoli bus stand around 11 pm when three to four men allegedly threatened him with sharp weapons and abducted him.
He was taken to a narrow alley, where the gang robbed him of his mobile phone, cash and wallet, he said.
The kidnappers later used his mobile phone to contact his family and demanded Tk 50,000 through bKash while keeping him hostage in the alley, he added.
A patrol team operating in the Shyamoli bus stand area approached the vicinity during the incident. Sensing police presence, the suspects attempted to conceal the knives they were carrying. The victim then shouted for help after noticing the patrol vehicle.
Hearing his cries, the patrol team rushed to the scene. The gang members tried to flee, but Zahid was arrested on the spot. Based on information obtained during interrogation, police later arrested the remaining eight suspects, the ADC said.
Police identified Zahid as the alleged mastermind of the gang. He and two other suspects each have two prior cases filed against them.
The ADC said the gang had long been active in Mohammadpur and Adabor, targeting people carrying cash in the early morning hours, particularly those going to purchase or transport goods.
A case has been filed with Adabor Police Station, and legal proceedings against the nine suspects are underway. Police plan to seek remand for further interrogation to determine whether other gangs were involved, identify additional crime locations and trace other possible victims.
Investigators said the gang typically used victims’ phones to contact family members and demand ransom through bKash. After receiving the money, they cashed it out through agent outlets or send-money transactions before abandoning the victims and fleeing the scene.
