Gunmen fire at former AL lawmaker Mujibur's Ctg home in extortion bid: Police
According to the police, the attack was likely orchestrated by the criminal network of Sazzad Ali, a notorious fugitive better known as "Boro Sazzad," who is believed to be operating from abroad
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the residence of businessman and former Awami League lawmaker Mujibur Rahman in Chattogram's Chandanpura area yesterday morning (2 January), in what police described as a targeted attempt at extortion.
The shooting occurred at around 7am under the jurisdiction of the Chakbazar Police Station.
Mujibur, managing director of the industrial conglomerate Smart Group and the former MP for Banshkhali, was inside the house with his family at the time.
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No injuries were reported, though the attack sparked significant panic in the neighbourhood.
According to the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), a group of eight masked men arrived in a microbus and fired several rounds at the property, striking the main gate and the rear side of the building before fleeing.
Investigators have recovered evidence from the scene and are currently preparing a case.
Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, deputy commissioner of the CMP (South), said the attack was likely orchestrated by the criminal network of Sazzad Ali, a notorious fugitive better known as "Boro Sazzad," who is believed to be operating from abroad.
The police officer revealed that the businessman had previously ignored an extortion demand exceeding Tk1 crore made from a Dubai-based phone number.
Mujibur confirmed the threat, stating he received a call approximately six weeks ago from a person identifying as "Boro Sazzad," though he had not taken the matter seriously at the time.
This incident follows a pattern of rising violence linked to the same criminal group.
On 14 December last year, a construction site in the Hamzarbagh area was vandalised after the owner refused a Tk50 lakh extortion demand.
Police later arrested a suspect in that case with firearms and believe the two incidents are connected to the same network.
The alleged activities of Sazzad's associates have long cast a shadow of fear over residents in Chandgaon, Bayezid Bostami, and Panchlaish, as well as parts of Hathazari and Raozan upazilas.
Law enforcement records indicate that the group's name has surfaced in at least 10 murder cases since 5 August 2024, suggesting their involvement in both dominance-related killings and contract assignments.
Police have vowed to dismantle the extortion ring and are working to identify the masked men involved in yesterday's shooting. Security has been heightened in the area as the investigation continues.
