A three-year-old girl abducted from Shibpur in Narsingdi District has been rescued two days after her disappearance, following a joint operation by law enforcement agencies. Police have arrested a couple in connection with the incident, during which investigators say the child was allegedly sold for a sum of 4,000 taka.
The rescued child, Umme Hani, daughter of Ibrahim Mollah, had been living with her family in a rented residence in the College Para area of Shibpur, within the Jayanagar Union of Kamraba Nowara village. According to her family, the abduction occurred on Friday morning when a woman known to them as Sharifa Begum took the child outside under the pretext of going for a walk. She did not return, prompting a frantic search that continued throughout the day before a missing complaint was filed with Shibpur Model Police Station that evening.
Acting on the complaint, police initiated an immediate investigation using intelligence gathering and technological support. Authorities tracked the suspects across several locations in Sylhet and Habiganj divisions as they repeatedly changed hideouts in an apparent attempt to evade arrest.
On Sunday night at approximately 11:30 pm, a coordinated operation led by police with support from Rapid Action Battalion personnel led to the rescue of the child from the Sahab Bazar Gate area under Madhabpur Police Station in Habiganj District. During the same operation, law enforcement arrested Sharifa Khatun, aged 29, and her husband Nazim Uddin, aged 42.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Sharifa Khatun allegedly sold the child for 4,000 taka shortly after abducting her. Police have not yet disclosed the identity of the alleged buyer but confirmed that further inquiries are underway to determine whether a wider trafficking network is involved.
Key Details of the Case
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Umme Hani, 3 years old |
| Parents | Ibrahim Mollah (father), resident of Shibpur |
| Place of Abduction | College Para area, Shibpur |
| Rescue Location | Sahab Bazar Gate area, Madhabpur, Habiganj |
| Arrested Persons | Sharifa Khatun (29), Nazim Uddin (42) |
| Alleged Transaction | Child reportedly sold for 4,000 taka |
| Lead Agencies | Shibpur police with RAB support |
| Timeframe | Abduction to rescue: approximately 48 hours |
Family members stated that the accused woman had developed familiarity with them as a co-tenant in the same building. This trust, they believe, was exploited to gain access to the child. The child’s mother reported that Sharifa Khatun offered to take the child out briefly in the morning, after which all contact was lost.
Law enforcement officials have described the operation as swift and intelligence-driven, emphasising that continuous surveillance and inter-district coordination were crucial in locating the suspects within a short period.
Both arrested individuals are currently in custody and are being interrogated. Authorities have confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated, and efforts are ongoing to uncover any broader involvement in child trafficking activities.