The trafficker, Abul Shikder, confessed to the interrogators that he has so far kidnapped about 50 children from different parts of the capital since he get involved in the profession five years back.

The rescued children are Akash, 7, Irin, 9, Taslima, 10, and Rozina, 7.

Acting on a tip-off, a patrol team of the elite force arrested Shikder from beside Chhapra Mosque at 7:30pm.

Rab sources claimed that Shikder has been trying to persuade the four children for the last few days saying that he would give them dolls.

The children informed their parents about the matter, who in turn informed Rab about the incident.

Shikder came to the area yesterday and tried to take the children with him. At that moment Rab conducted a raid in the area and arrested him, sources said.

During interrogation, Shikder, who pulled rickshaw for 15 years during his early days in the capital, confessed that he used to kidnap children and supply them to some persons who usually traffic children in the United Arab Emirates.

He used to take Tk 50,000 for a child.

Shikder also admitted that he used to kidnap children aged between six and ten each Friday. Members of his syndicate used to wait at some fixed place in the capital on Fridays.

Street urchins and slum children are the main target of the gang as it is easy to induce them, Shikder told Rab.

Raid is being conducted in the capital to capture persons involved in the syndicate, said Rab sources adding that Shikder is a field level member of the gang and named some of his bosses during the interrogation.

Rab handed over the arrestee to police.

A case was filed with Khilgaon Police Station.