Robbers Seen Yet Still Uncaught

Four days after a brazen armed robbery in the Fatullah area of Narayanganj, police have yet to apprehend any suspects, despite clear CCTV footage capturing the perpetrators’ faces. The delay has intensified public concern over rising street crime and the apparent inability of law enforcement to act swiftly, even when visual evidence is available.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Sunday along a road adjacent to Rabeya Hossain High School in the East Isdair in the area. At that early hour, when pedestrian traffic was sparse, three assailants arrived on a motorcycle and intercepted Farzana Afroz, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Narayanganj College. Brandishing machetes, they threatened her with death and forcibly seized her gold chain, mobile phone, and cash before fleeing the scene within minutes.

According to police sources, multiple CCTV cameras in the vicinity recorded the incident. The footage reveals three young men arriving together on a single motorcycle, executing the robbery swiftly, and escaping. Notably, two of the suspects had their faces uncovered, allowing for clear visual identification, while the third wore a helmet. Despite this, investigators have yet to confirm their identities.

Speaking to our representative, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Tarek Al Mehedi stated that certain leads had been obtained from the footage and that efforts to identify the suspects were ongoing. He expressed confidence that arrests would be made soon, citing “significant progress” in the investigation.

The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Mizanur Rahman of Fatullah Model Police Station, confirmed that a written complaint was filed on the day of the incident. He added that several video clips are being carefully analysed using available technological tools, and that authorities are working to trace the suspects promptly.

The victim, Farzana Afroz, expressed frustration at the lack of immediate action. She remarked that the attackers operated openly and were clearly visible in the footage, yet no arrests had been made even after several days. She urged the authorities to act decisively and bring the offenders to justice without further delay.

The case has drawn attention to a broader pattern of rising robbery incidents in Narayanganj and surrounding এলাকায়. In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in crimes involving motorcycle-borne assailants, particularly during early morning hours when streets are relatively deserted. Working women, students, and ordinary commuters have reported heightened anxiety over personal safety.

Afzal Hossain, General Secretary of the Narayanganj Press Club, criticised what he described as a lack of consistent police urgency. He noted that while law enforcement agencies often respond swiftly in cases involving their own institutional interests—such as recovering lost police weapons—similar vigour is not always evident in addressing crimes affecting ordinary citizens. He argued that such disparities contribute to a growing sense of impunity among criminals.

Below is a summary of the key details of the incident:

The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced patrols, improved surveillance integration, and more proactive policing strategies. As public unease continues to grow, residents are calling for stronger measures to restore confidence in law enforcement and ensure safer streets.