University Lecturer Abducted, Robbed 45 Kilometres Away

A lecturer from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Comilla University (CU), Abdur Razzaq (Sohel), was forcibly abducted and robbed at gunpoint while waiting for a bus on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. The assailants later abandoned him nearly 45 kilometres away in Daudkandi.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 pm near Kotbari area under Comilla Sadar South Police Station. Four unidentified men in a private car intercepted Razzaq, forcibly took him into the vehicle, and held him at gunpoint. The attackers robbed him of cash, his mobile phone, and later used his ATM card to withdraw additional money. By 5:00 pm the same day, Razzaq was released near Shaheednagar in Daudkandi.

Following the ordeal, Razzaq filed a formal complaint at the Comilla Sadar South Model Police Station on Thursday, naming four unknown individuals as suspects. As of Friday afternoon, no arrests had been made, though police officials confirmed that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those involved.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Razzaq recounted the terrifying experience: “I had gone to the Kotbari area in a colleague’s private car to catch a bus to Dhaka. While waiting, a private vehicle stopped in front of me. One of the occupants asked if I had called for an Uber. I said no, and he claimed my photo was visible on the app. Within minutes, the four men forcibly pulled me into their car and started driving towards Dhaka. After passing the Comilla cantonment, they tied my eyes, hands, and feet.”

He added: “They threatened me with firearms, stole my mobile phone, wallet, and 15,000 taka in cash. When they demanded my ATM PIN, I initially refused, but after being beaten, I was forced to comply. They also obtained the password for my mobile payment account.”

Razzaq described the group: one driver, one IT-skilled accomplice, and two armed men. The attackers took him to an ATM booth near Abid Market in Daudkandi, withdrawing 80,000 taka in four transactions, in addition to taking 15,000 taka from his wallet and 2,500 taka from his mobile account, totalling 97,500 taka. He was then abandoned on the roadside, with repeated threats of shooting or spraying him unconscious.

Razzaq expressed ongoing trauma and urged law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

Comilla Sadar South Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Sirajul Islam confirmed that a case has been registered, and police are actively working to trace and arrest those responsible.

Key Details of the Abduction