Ten young men from Madaripur left Bangladesh in search of lawful employment and a better future in Europe, but their families have been plunged into anguish after losing all contact with them for the past ten months. According to relatives, the youths travelled via Libya with the promise of direct passage to Italy, only to disappear amid allegations of human trafficking, extortion and severe abuse.
Family accounts suggest that each of the young men paid between Tk 2.8 million and Tk 3 million to a trafficking syndicate, which had assured them of safe and legal migration. Instead, they were allegedly taken to Libya, where they were held against their will, subjected to physical and psychological torture, and forced to extract additional ransom payments from their families. In April last year, they reportedly attempted a perilous sea crossing to Italy in an engine-powered boat. Since then, there has been no confirmed information about their whereabouts or fate.
The missing youths range in age from 18 to 30. Their details are outlined below:
| Name | Father’s Name | Area/Union | Age (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limon Bepari | Anwar Bepari | Kendua, Nayakandi | 19 |
| Rabiul Matubbar | Hemayet Matubbar | Kendua, Nayakandi | 22 |
| Joy Matubbar | Titu Matubbar | Datterhat | 20 |
| Jidan Hossain Hawladar | Moktar Hawladar | Datterhat | 18 |
| Walid Hasan Abhi | Julhas Chokdar | Mostafapur, Gachhbari | 19 |
| Mohammad Ali | — | Peyarpur, Machhkandi | 22 |
| Shariful Islam | Abul Bashar Matubbar | Rajair, Bajitpur, Machchar | 27 |
| Azmul Khan | Hashem Khan | Rajair, Pakhulla | 30 |
| Tuhin Majumder | Kalu Majumder | Mollakandi | 23 |
| Mahabub | — | New Bus Stand, Town | 21 |
Relatives allege that the youths were lured by a woman named Peyara Begum from Gazirchar in Kendua Union, who promised to send them directly to Italy in exchange for Tk 1.5 million initially. The families later claim they were compelled to pay far more under duress once the men were detained in Libya.
Police have confirmed that legal proceedings are under way. Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Additional Superintendent of Police in Madaripur, said that one family has already filed a case and three suspects have been arrested. He added that further legal action would be taken if the remaining families submit formal complaints.
The families have named Peyara Begum’s sons—one allegedly coordinating the operation from Italy and the other collecting money locally—along with several associates from neighbouring districts. Local residents claim that members of the syndicate amassed considerable wealth, including constructing duplex houses, before going into hiding after the scandal became public.
Parents and relatives now appeal for urgent government intervention, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved and, above all, the safe return of their sons—alive or otherwise—to end months of tormenting uncertainty.