Emergency Alert: 250 Rohingya Held by Human Traffickers Near Nayapara Refugee Camp, Preparing for Deadly Sea Voyage

Teknaf, Bangladesh 20-November- 2025

Human traffickers are reportedly holding 250 Rohingya refugees in a remote mountainous area called Lambasia, west of the Nayapara Registered Refugee Camp. Two large makeshift houses have been constructed to confine and control the detainees, who include women, children, and young men.

Location and Operations, Lambasia lies between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Nayapara refugee camp to the east, with a steep mountain separating the two areas. Refugees are being extorted 20,000 to 30,000 taka each, under the promise of being transported by sea to Malaysia via Indonesia or Thailand.

Traffickers have shifted their operations to the mountains due to the presence of army and APBN police checkpoints and other government monitoring in Jadi Mora Nesari Park, which restricts their previous coastal routes. Authorities have reportedly secured coastal areas previously used for smuggling, forcing traffickers to hide in the forested mountains.

Reports indicate traffickers are recruiting local Rohingya groups from Nayapara, including the Saddan group, Salah group, Nur Kamal group, and Bolu robbers, to aid in abductions and logistics.

The broader network reportedly involves traffickers from Rohingya, Bangladeshi, Indonesian, and Thai backgrounds, operating across multiple countries to move refugees in stages. Once initial fees are collected in Bangladesh, refugees are first transported to Indonesia or Thailand, where traffickers demand further payments from families before final transport to Malaysia.

Deadly Sea Route and Recent Tragedy

The sea route used by traffickers is internationally known as the “Death Route”, due to overcrowded, fragile boats with no safety measures. Last week, a boat carrying Rohingya refugees capsized near Malaysia, resulting in multiple deaths. This tragic incident underscores the extreme danger facing those currently held in Lambasia. Experts warn that even minor accidents, engine failure, or sudden weather changes could result in mass fatalities.

Despite the known risks, traffickers continue to lure refugees with promises of a better life abroad. Current Situation in Nayapara Forest

Deep inside the forest near Nayapara, more than 250 Rohingya refugees are reportedly confined in two large sheds built by traffickers. Allegations suggest that Shabdan and Nur Kamal armed groups are working hand-in-hand with traffickers, collecting 20,000 taka per person as a “security fee,” further empowering the trafficking network.

The lives of these refugees are at immediate risk. If forced onto the sea, a single accident could wipe out all 200+ people within minutes.

The Government of Bangladesh, law enforcement agencies, and international humanitarian organizations are being urged to:

Launch an immediate rescue operation in the forest near Nayapara. Free every Rohingya being held inside the sheds.Strengthen monitoring and patrols of trafficking routes in Teknaf and surrounding areas.

The situation represents a critical humanitarian emergency. Without immediate intervention, the Rohingya held in Lambasia are at high risk of abduction, exploitation, or death at sea, as tragically demonstrated by the recent fatal boat incident near Malaysia.