A nationwide manhunt ended earlier this year as Yorkshire police announced an arrest had been made in the stabbing murder of Kulsuma Akter, age 27, who was killed while taking a walk through Bradford City Center.
Habibur Masum, age 25, was detained by law enforcement in relation to the attack, along with an unnamed 23-year-old male accomplice. According to BBC News, Masum was on bail following charges that he assaulted Akter on November 23, 2023, and threatened to kill her on November 24, 2023.
Reportedly, a condition of his bail was that he have no contact or communications with Akter. He was due to appear in court in September in relation to the charges.
Greater Manchester Police and the West Yorkshire force referred their investigation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the circumstances of the case and their previous contacts with the suspect and victim.
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While the relationship between Akter and Masum is unclear, Masum is believed to be the father of Akter’s child, who was unharmed in the attack. Akter was originally from Bangladesh, and much of her family remains in the country, her cousin Aftab Miah told BBC News.
Miah stated that Akter had moved to the area around two years ago, describing her as “a wonderful lady… a good, humble, likeable person, a caring person. She always used to offer me tea and biscuits when I went to her house. I am going to miss her very much.”
Miah added that he had been in contact with Aklers’ mother in Bangladesh, describing her as inconsolable and “crying all the time.”
“All we want is justice, nothing more,” Miah said. “No revenge or anything. Just justice for our sister.”
West Yorkshire Police issued a statement confirming the arrest and explaining that the victim’s family was being provided with support.
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Enquiry Team stated, “This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.”
