Tawhidul Islam , Cox's Bazar 

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has rescued 14 individuals from a secret detention cell operated by identified human traffickers, led by a man named Saiful Islam, in the Uttar Lombori area of Teknaf Sadar Union, Cox’s Bazar.

 These people had been abducted at different times from various places for illegal trafficking by sea to Malaysia and Indonesia.

The drive  was conducted at  around 11:30 PM on Saturday night in the Uttar Lombori area of Teknaf Sadar Union, confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman, Commanding Officer of Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion.

The rescued individuals are 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. Kaisar (23), Lutfur Rahman Kajol (17), Sirajul Haque (24), Md. Abu Taleb (36), Md. Kasem (26), and Mohiuddin Babu (17). All of them are Bangladeshi citizens from different districts.

Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman stated that a trafficking ring led by Md. Saiful Islam (39), son of deceased Hafez Ahmad of Lengurbil area, had held them captive. On April 24, an operation was carried out in the deep sea to apprehend Saiful and his associates. Although the traffickers managed to escape when challenged by the patrol team, the victims were safely rescued. While arrests were not made during that operation, a case was subsequently filed against the traffickers at Teknaf Model Police Station for human and drug trafficking.

Based on the information gathered from the rescued victims during that operation, multiple follow-up drives were conducted in the Marine Drive and Damdamia areas to detain members of the trafficking ring. BGB confirmed reports that several Bangladeshi nationals had recently been abducted and held hostage in a hidden location in Lombori. Acting on this intelligence, BGB launched Saturday night’s operation, successfully rescuing 14 abducted individuals unharmed.

According to statements from the victims, the trafficking ring lured them to Teknaf through local brokers using enticing promises over mobile phones. They were then abducted from various spots in Teknaf and along Marine Drive and confined in remote hideouts. The traffickers demanded ransom from their families, subjecting the victims to inhumane physical torture to pressure families into paying. The abductors even sent videos of the abuse to their families, demanding ransom payments.

Two of the rescued victims, Mohammad Kasem and Mahin Uddin, shared their harrowing experience: “We had gone to Inani for a visit. A CNG auto-rickshaw driver lured us to Teknaf, where we were abducted and taken to a house. There we found others held hostage. They beat us and sent videos to our families, demanding 100,000 taka each. Despite the payments, we were kept captive for 18 days. The traffickers intended to sell us to brokers for illegal trafficking to Malaysia and Indonesia via sea. Finally, the BGB rescued us. We are forever grateful to them.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman affirmed that legal actions are being taken in this matter.

OC of Teknaf Model Police Station, Muhammad Gias Uddin said,  we have heard that BGB rescued 14 individuals from a locked room. Once they are handed over to the police, legal procedures will be followed.”