4 arrested over abduction of schoolboy who was rescued following PM's intervention

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested four individuals in separate drives across the capital in connection with the abduction of a schoolboy, who was rescued within an hour following the intervention of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on 24 February.

The arrestees are Tanvir Ahmed alias Fahim, 24; Iffat Yamin Likhan, 23; Hasan Al Banna alias Hasan, 20; and Mustakimur Rahman alias Kunjo, 21.

The information was disclosed at a briefing held at the DMP Media Centre today (26 February) by Masud Alam, deputy commissioner (DC) of Ramna Division.

According to him, the victim, Afnan Saeed, is a ninth-grade student of National Ideal School in Khilgaon. His father, Khondkar Shamim, works at the Secretariat.

Around 2:30pm on 24 February, Afnan was near a shoe showroom in front of Al Madina Palace at the Shantinagar intersection under Ramna Model Police Station when the accused lured him to the second floor of an under-construction 10-storey building in Chamelibagh.

Schoolboy rescued within an hour of abduction following PM’s intervention

The abductors then called the boy's mother demanding Tk50,000 as ransom. They also contacted his father, threatening to kill the student if the money was not paid.

Failing to find an immediate solution, the victim's father drew the attention of the prime minister through his workplace at the Secretariat. The PM promptly instructed senior police officials to rescue the student.

Using intelligence inputs and technological tracking, law enforcers located and rescued the boy from the under-construction building within an hour.

DC Masud added, "The four arrested suspects were previously involved in at least six abduction incidents and face multiple cases. The group allegedly operated in collusion, using digital platforms to commit fraud, blackmail victims and extort ransom through kidnappings."

"Legal proceedings against them are currently underway," he said.