Five arrested in Teknaf abduction ring; RAB pursuing key suspects

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested five members of a Teknaf-based abduction ring that allegedly operated by impersonating RAB personnel, while the unit continues to search for two ringleaders, Rohingya individual Nabi Hossain and local gang leader Shah Alam.

The arrests follow an incident on 11 June in which armed individuals, posing as RAB members, abducted a man from a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar and demanded Tk15 lakh in ransom.

Since then, RAB has been conducting operations in the region, resulting in several arrests and the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and counterfeit RAB uniforms.

At a press conference held at the RAB-15 office in Cox's Bazar today (30 June), RAB-15 Commander Lt Col Kamrul Hasan shared details of the investigation and recent developments, including the latest arrest of one of the accused, Faruk, from the Marichya area of Ukhiya.

During the raid, law enforcers recovered four RAB uniforms, a fake RAB ID card, one handcuff, a foreign-made pistol, two locally made firearms, 10 rounds of live ammunition, 11 empty cartridges, and a knife.

Previously arrested suspects include Md Sumon Munshi, a former army soldier dismissed in 2019, along with Afridi, Abdul Gofur, and Shikder.

RAB stated that on the night of 11 June, the abductors, with the help of Rohingya individuals, including Enayet Ullah and Nabi Hossain, lured victim Md Hafiz Ullah from his residence in Camp No. 15 and took him to a remote hilly area in Rangikhali, Hnila union, Teknaf. The gang then contacted his family demanding ransom.

Acting on intelligence, RAB detained suspects Afridi and Abdul Gofur from Shah Alam's residence on 13 June. The following day, Sumon Munshi was arrested from Marichya Bazar in Ukhiya.

Authorities then attempted to communicate with the abductors through Sumon, urging them to release the victim, but received no response.

In response, a joint operation was launched on 15 June involving RAB, BGB, police, APBn, and the Forest Department.

A total of 256 personnel participated in the mission in the suspected forest area, where Hafiz Ullah was eventually rescued. A locally made firearm, three rounds of ammunition, RAB uniforms, and a walkie-talkie were recovered from the site.

A case has since been filed with Teknaf Police Station in connection with the incident.

Speaking at the press briefing, Lt Col Kamrul Hasan said, "During interrogation, we learned that the expelled soldier Sumon had the fake RAB uniforms made at Shah Ali Market in Mirpur, Dhaka, several years ago. These were used in abductions to impersonate RAB. Manufacturing or using uniforms of state security forces without authorisation is a serious offence."

He cautioned tailors and garment producers to avoid involvement in such activities, warning of strict legal action if found in violation.

RAB continues its efforts to capture the ringleaders. Shah Alam, who is facing over 28 criminal cases, and Nabi Hossain have reportedly been involved in armed criminal activity in Teknaf for the past 15 years.

Their operations are said to include abduction, extortion, and armed assault, often carried out in hilly terrain with the support of local criminals.

According to RAB and district police sources, at least 256 abductions have been reported in Teknaf in the past 17 and a half months.