BNP Leaders Saiful Alam and Nirob Seize Control of Mohakhali Terminal, Expand Extortion Network Across Dhaka

Following a regime change in Bangladesh, two BNP leaders, both named Saiful Alam—Nirob from Dhaka North and another from Cumilla—have taken control of key extortion operations at Dhaka’s Mohakhali bus terminal, collecting around Tk 1 million daily. Nirob now dominates the Tejgaon truck terminal, industrial areas, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, previously controlled by allies of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who is reportedly in hiding. Additionally, Nirob’s associates have taken over businesses at Tejgaon and the Karwan Bazar fish market and are pressuring to install their supporters in local mosques. Meanwhile, Sadiqur Rahman Hiru, a transport leader aligned with the former Awami League government, has switched allegiance to the BNP faction. Despite claims by Saiful Alam that efforts are underway to curb extortion, payments from 1,500+ buses continue unabated. Nirob is also accused of lobbying RHD officials to reinstate blacklisted contractors and secure contracts for BNP-affiliated leaders, further consolidating their influence in Dhaka’s transport and infrastructure sectors.