Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel arrested BNP Vice-Chairman, and also BNP's Dhaka metropolitan unit convenor, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, from a residence in the capital’s Uttara area on Wednesday night.
Deputy Commissioner of the Detective Branch Nazmul Alam said: “A Rab team arrested Khoka at a residence in sector-4 around 9:45pm, where he had been hiding.”
Nazmul Alam did not elaborate on the incident.
Confirming the matter, Khoka's Personal Secretary Monirul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that Khoka was picked up from a friend’s residence in Uttara sector-4.
Meanwhile, Khoka's Bodyguard Ariful Islam was also arrested.
Despite repeated attempts, Rab Director General Mokhlesur Rahman, Intelligence wing Chief Col Ziaul Ahsan, Media Wing Chief Wing Commander Habibur Rahman, Rab-1 Commanding officer Lt Col Kismat Hayat and several other concerned officials, could not be reached.
Sources said a team of DB police also rushed to the spot, but the Rab personnel picked up him before DB police arrived.
Former Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Khoka was in hiding since November 26 after the announcement of the rail, road and waterway blockade. Some other leaders of the party are also in hiding to avoid arrest.
On November 12, police filed a case against 26 opposition activists, including former Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, for an arson attack on a human hauler.
BNP's Dhaka metropolitan unit convenor and Vice President Khoka had called party supporters to form an armed resistance against “the attack of Awami League” last month.
Several ruling Awami League leaders complained that the statement was inflammatory.
