The Zambia police service says it has arrested and detained detective inspector Titus Phiri for freeing suspects to celebrate New Year.
The police service is charging Phiri of allegedly aiding the escape of suspects at the Kanyama police station.
Phiri seized the cell key from his colleague, Constable Serah Banda, while drunk, according to the police service.
As a result, he opened both the male and female cells.
He allegedly told suspects they were free to go and celebrate the cross over into the New Year.
Detective Inspector Titus Phiri was team leader at Leonard Cheelo Police Post under the Kanyama Police Station.
Out of the 15 suspects who were in police detention, 13 escaped.
“Following the incident, the officer fled the scene and disappeared into the nearby compound,” said Rae Hamoonga, Police Public Relations Officer.
Manhunt for Escaped Suspects
The police in Zambia say they have launched a manhunt to track the escaped suspects.
The police force appealed to the public to assist in locating the escapees.
“All the suspects remain at large. A docket of the case has been opened, and a manhunt has been launched. The Zambia Police Service has intensified efforts to locate and apprehend the escapees,” the police service said.
“The Zambia Police Service reiterates its commitment to upholding law and order and assures the public that decisive action will be taken against any officer found to be abusing their authority or acting contrary to the law.”
Zambia Police Charges Escapees With Assault, Theft.
The police have arrested some of the 13 suspects for assaulting women and for stealing.
The escaped suspects included Kennedy Musonda—Assault OABH (GBV); Caredi Mumeka, Affray Memory Tembo and Affray Agness Mwaba – Assault OABH.
Others include Maclean Shanaube—Assault OABH, Burglary, and Theft; Lastone Ngosa – Assault OABH; Fletcher Nkosani—Conduct likely to cause a breach of peace; Enock Banda—Obtaining goods by false pretenses; Memory Mpukuta—Theft; Jane Banda—Theft; Simon Phiri – Possession of psychotropic substances; David Sibalwi and Kelvin Mwape.
