A three-year-old girl, identified as Umme Hani, has been safely rescued two days after being abducted from her home in Shibpur Upazila. Police have arrested two members of an organised network, with preliminary findings suggesting the child was trafficked for as little as BDT 4,000.
The rescue operation was carried out late on Sunday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the Sahab Bazar Gate area of Madhabpur Upazila. The joint team included officers from Shibpur Police Station and personnel from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), who acted on intelligence-led surveillance after an intensive two-day search.
According to investigators, the abducted child is the daughter of Ibrahim Mollah from Kamraban Nowara village under Jayanagar Union in Shibpur. The family had been residing in a rented house in the Collegepara area of Shibpur at the time of the incident.
The child’s mother reported that they had become acquainted with a woman named Sharifa Khatun, who lived in the same building. Exploiting this familiarity, Sharifa allegedly took the child out of the house under the pretext of going for a walk. The child did not return, prompting immediate searches by the family. A general diary was later filed with the police on the same day.
Law enforcement officials stated that following the complaint, a specialised investigation was launched using digital tracking and intelligence gathering. The suspects attempted to evade arrest by frequently moving across different districts. However, coordinated surveillance ultimately led officers to their location.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sharifa Khatun and her husband Nizam Uddin, residents of the New Bazar Baghbari area in Chunarughat Upazila. Police allege that Sharifa Khatun directly facilitated the sale of the child for BDT 4,000, while her husband assisted in the operation.
Key Details of the Case
Category
Information
Child’s Name
Umme Hani (3 years)
Area of Abduction
Shibpur Upazila, Narsingdi District
Rescue Location
Sahab Bazar Gate area, Madhabpur Upazila, Habiganj District
Time of Abduction
Friday morning (around 10:00 a.m.)
Time of Rescue
Sunday night (around 11:30 p.m.)
Primary Accused
Sharifa Khatun
Co-accused
Nizam Uddin
Alleged Sale Price
BDT 4,000
Investigating Agencies
Police and Rapid Action Battalion
The Officer-in-Charge of Shibpur Police Station, Md. Kohinur Mia, confirmed that the case was treated with utmost urgency from the moment it was reported. He noted that continuous technical surveillance and coordinated field operations across multiple locations eventually led to the successful rescue of the child in an unharmed condition.
Authorities suspect that the incident may be linked to a wider human trafficking network operating across district boundaries. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional individuals were involved and to trace the intended recipient of the child.
The incident has caused widespread concern in the local community, reigniting discussions on child safety, tenant security in residential buildings, and the risks posed by individuals exploiting neighbourly trust.
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