Abdullah Al Mamun, BU 

A student from the 2021–22 session of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences at the University of Barishal (BU) was abducted in a microbus while returning home from university, and a ransom was demanded by the abductors. The perpetrators later released the student after keeping his mobile phone and wallet when the ransom was not paid.

The incident took place on Monday  at around 8:00 a.m. in Madaripur, as the student was traveling from Barishal to his village home in Jhenaidah. The victim, Md. Asad, is a student of the 11th batch at the university and hails from Maheshpur Upazila of Jhenaidah.

According to Asad's family and university sources, he had set off for home early in the morning around 6:00 a.m. due to the death of his elder uncle. After reaching Madaripur by bus, he got off and was looking for transport to continue his journey to Jhenaidah. At that point, a microbus approached and offered to take him there. Once he got in, the abductors contacted his family from the number 01518495609 and demanded a ransom.

Once the university administration was informed by the family, they sought police assistance. Upon learning that the police had been alerted, the abductors released Asad but kept his mobile phone and wallet.

Asad’s classmate Rafid Hasan said, “Asad started his journey home early in the morning due to the death of his uncle, and fell victim to this incident on the way.”

Asad’s father stated, “After Asad’s elder uncle passed away last night, he set out for home early this morning. In Madaripur, he was picked up by a microbus and the abductors demanded a ransom. When they didn’t receive it, they took his mobile and wallet and released him. He is now returning home by another bus.”

University Proctor Sonia Khan Soni said, “We were informed that a student of the Soil and Environmental Sciences Department was being held for ransom in Madaripur while on his way home to Jhenaidah. As soon as we heard, we contacted Madaripur police. The student is now safe and on his way home. We have spoken to both the student and his family,” she added.