Families await return of 24 Faridpur youths missing in Libya for three years

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 3, 2026

Twenty-four young men from Faridpur district have been missing in Libya for nearly three years after traveling there for work through a local broker who has since disappeared. Their families, many financially devastated, are awaiting government-led diplomatic efforts to verify identities and secure the youths’ safe return amid fears they may be detained.

Families in Faridpur district have been waiting for nearly three years for the return of 24 young men who went missing in Libya after seeking employment abroad. The youths, originating from the Saltha, Nagarkanda, and Boalmari upazilas, traveled to Libya through a local broker who allegedly promised them good jobs but lost contact with them soon after their arrival.

The families, many of whom sold land and took out loans to fund the journeys, have expressed deep concern for the missing youths’ safety. Relatives fear that the young men may be detained in Libyan prisons. Several families, including those of Riaz Molla, Tuhin Sardar, Firoz Molla, Tanvir Molla, Md Hasibul Hasan, Robiul Islam, and Salman Molla, continue to hold out hope for their loved ones’ safe return.

“My son has been missing for three years. I wait every day, hoping he will call even once,” said the mother of Hasibul Hasan, one of the missing youths. Similarly, Robiul Islam’s father recounted how the family sold land and borrowed money to support his son’s migration, lamenting that they now have neither financial resources nor any news of him.

An anti-human trafficking organization, Pacharer Shikar Manob Uddhar Shishu Surokkha Songstha, described the 24 families as destitute and helpless. Its chairman, Syed Khairul Islam, emphasized that only swift diplomatic intervention could bring the youths home safely.

The broker allegedly responsible for facilitating the youths’ travel, Parvez Molla from Barkhadia village in Saltha, has not been reachable for comment. Attempts to contact him by phone were unsuccessful, and locals reported that he is believed to be in hiding.

Local authorities have been involved in responding to the families' appeals. Nagarkanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rezwanan Afrin said the administration is verifying the identities and citizenship of the missing youths based on applications submitted by the families. These verified details will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through district administration channels for further diplomatic efforts.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Muhammad Al Fahad, responsible for Nagarkanda Circle, confirmed that police and local offices are conducting necessary investigations and procedures in accordance with the law.

The ongoing absence of concrete information has left the families in a prolonged state of uncertainty, underscoring broader concerns about the risks faced by migrants traveling abroad through informal channels.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.