​Staff Reporter: Police have once again arrested Md. Ismail Hossain Babu, alias Mofa Babu (30), a notorious figure involved in alleged extortion, assault, vandalism, and terrorizing activities in the capital’s Khilkhet and Nikunja-2 areas.

According to intelligence sources, this marks his seventh arrest so far. His repeated involvement in criminal activities despite frequent arrests has sparked intense anger and widespread frustration among local residents and business owners.

​Mofa Babu was apprehended from the Nikunja-2 area on Friday night at approximately 11:20 PM.

​Following the arrest, a new case (Case No. 17) was filed against him at Khilkhet Police Station on Saturday (October 24).

​Mofa Babu is the son of Mofazzal Hossain and Jahanara Begum, hailing from the Ramkeshab area of Borhanuddin Upazila in Bhola. However, he had been residing in a rented premise in the Tanpara area of Khilkhet.

​Allegations of Extortion, Assault, and Vandalism

​The newly filed case brings charges under Sections 143, 341, 323, 385, 506, and 34 of the Penal Code—covering unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, assault, extortion demands, death threats, and criminal intimidation.

​Local shopkeepers and residents revealed that Mofa Babu has long been associated with widespread extortion and violence across Nikunja and Khilkhet. Victims alleged that whenever anyone refused to pay extortion money, he and his associates resorted to physical assaults, attacking business establishments, and vandalizing shops, severely disrupting local commerce and everyday life.

​Arrested at Least Seven Times

​Intelligence records indicate that Mofa Babu has been arrested at least seven times previously, though detailed records of each case and date require further judicial verification.

​Police documentation and investigative

findings show that he was previously arrested in July and October 2025 following charges of assaulting a local businessman, vandalizing a shop, and demanding extortion money on Road 10 in Nikunja-2.

​Later, in July 2026, he was apprehended by Detective Branch (DB) police in front of a restaurant in Nikunja-2 with a large quantity of Yaba pills.

​Locals alleged that after being granted bail following previous arrests, he routinely returned to the same neighborhood and resumed his criminal activities, particularly extortion.

​Misuse of Political Identity

​There are also allegations that Mofa Babu consistently leveraged local political ties to exert undue influence.

​According to residents, he utilized his position as Member Secretary of the Ward No. 96 Swechchhasebak Dal in Khilkhet, alongside the backing of Jahir Babu alias ‘Silte Babu’—a Joint Convenor of Khilkhet Thana BNP—to intimidate locals and establish control.

​Residents noted that due to his political affiliation and influence, many victims were previously afraid to step forward and file formal complaints. They now demand that law enforcement act strictly against criminals regardless of their political identity, social status, or clout.

​“Extortionists Have No Political Party” — Officer-in-Charge

​Addressing the arrest, Mohammad Sohrab Al Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khilkhet Police Station, reaffirmed the police’s zero-tolerance stance:
​“An extortionist has no political party; an extortionist’s only identity is that he is a criminal. No one will be allowed to leverage political identities or local clout to conduct extortion under Khilkhet Police Station. Regardless of how influential an offender may be, everyone is equal before the law, and no criminal will walk free.”

​The OC’s statement underscores a firm police commitment to curbing crime and sends a clear message that political shield will not prevent legal action.

​Repeated Arrests, Persistent Fear

​With Mofa Babu facing repeated allegations and multiple arrests, residents and shopkeepers in Nikunja and Khilkhet are questioning why the offender continues to terrorize the neighborhood despite law enforcement interventions.

​Victims emphasized that merely making an arrest is not enough. They urged authorities to ensure thorough investigations, proper evidence collection, witness protection, and swift court proceedings for every case. If proven guilty, exemplary punishment must be ensured under the law.

​Locals also suggested that authorities strictly track the progress of past cases and inspect whether suspects violate bail conditions by engaging in fresh crimes upon release.
​The community now expects a fair and impartial investigation into the new case, alongside a comprehensive review of all pending cases against Mofa Babu, ensuring that justice is served and permanent peace, security, and smooth business operations return to Nikunja and Khilkhet.