BGB rescues 14 from human traffickers’ hideout in Teknaf

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has rescued 14 individuals from a secret hideout used by human traffickers in Uttar Lombori area of Teknaf Sadar union, Cox's Bazar.

They had been abducted from various parts of the country for extortion and illegal trafficking by sea to Malaysia and Indonesia, officials said.

The rescue operation was conducted around 11:30pm on Saturday (10 May) night, according to Lt Col Ashiqur Rahman, commander of the Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion.

He said the victims were held captive by a trafficking ring led by Md Saiful Islam (39) of Lengurbil area, the alleged ringleader.

The 14 rescued individuals have been identified as Akhtar Hossain, 22, Saiful Islam, 16, Khayer Hossain, 18, Md Rashidul Islam, 19, Md Ayaz, 18, Mofidul Rahman, 15, Shaharia Mohammad, 19, Md Mojaher, 28, Md Kaysar, 23, Lutfur Rahman Kajol, 17, Sirajul Haque, 24, Md Abu Taleb, 36, Md Kasem, 26, and Mohiuddin Babu, 17.

BGB officials say a BGB patrol team conducted an operation in the deep sea on 24 April to apprehend Saiful Islam and other members of the trafficking ring. Although the traffickers managed to flee after being challenged, the victims were successfully rescued.

Following the operation, based on the information provided by the rescued victims, BGB conducted Saturday night's raid and successfully rescued all 14 victims unharmed.

According to the rescued individuals, the trafficking ring lured them to Teknaf through brokers using mobile phone offers and false promises. Once there, they were abducted from different spots in Teknaf and along the Marine Drive and held captive in remote locations.

The captors then demanded ransom from their families, subjecting the victims to brutal physical torture. Videos of the abuse were sent to their families to pressure them into paying the ransom, they say.

Two of the victims, Mohammad Kasem and Mahin Uddin, said they went to Inani for a visit. A CNG auto-rickshaw driver persuaded them to go to Teknaf, where we were abducted and taken to a house.

According to them, several others were also held there. "We were beaten, and the videos were sent to our families, who were forced to pay Tk1 lakh each. Even after that, we were held for 18 days. The traffickers planned to sell us to brokers for illegal sea trafficking to Malaysia and Indonesia."

Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman said legal action is being taken against the perpetrators in connection with the incident.

Officer-in-Charge of Teknaf Model Police Station Muhammad Gias Uddin said, "We have learned that the BGB rescued 14 people from a locked room. Once they are handed over to police, legal procedures will follow."