Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9 have arrested a suspect in connection with the cattle theft case at
St. Francis GBR Catholic Mission  in the Sudiakhla area of Shayestaganj upazila in Habiganj.
The accused was arrested on Saturday, May 23, at around 6:30pm during a raid conducted in the Notun Bridge area under Chunarughat.
According to a press release issued by RAB-9 CPC-3 Shayestaganj Camp, the arrest was made based on confidential information in connection with Shayestaganj Police Station Case No. 09, filed on May 7, 2026.
The arrested man was identified as Abdul Karim  ( 22), a resident of Subaboi village in the Sutang Bazar area of Shayestaganj upazila. RAB officials said he has multiple cases, including theft and other criminal offences, filed against him in Habiganj, Brahmanbaria and Moulvibazar districts.
The press release stated that on the night of May 1, unidentified miscreants broke into the cowshed of the Catholic mission and stole a black bull. The animal was later slaughtered in a secluded area behind the mission, while the offenders fled with the meat.
Following the incident, Sumon Sarkar, manager of the mission, filed a case with Shayestaganj Police Station.
Mission authorities said several cattle were being raised under mission funding and the stolen bull was worth approximately Tk 80,000. The incident sparked concern over the security of the mission and its ongoing humanitarian activities.
Father Marcus Murmu, in-charge of the mission, said the incident drew widespread local attention and was widely reported by  online News Red Times BD – 24,  national news, &: English- News media outlets, prompting increased activity by law enforcement agencies.
“Our mission operates agriculture and livestock-based programmes alongside a development centre for children with disabilities. Such incidents may disrupt our humanitarian and welfare activities, he said, urging authorities to ensure the arrest of all those involved.
RAB officials said the arrested suspect was later handed over to Shayestaganj Police Station for further legal proceedings, while efforts are underway to identify and arrest other suspects linked to the case.