Drunk Zambian officer releases prisoners, police on manhunt  

Rae Hamoonga Zambia Police PR

Zambia's police are searching for 13 detainees who escaped custody after a drunken officer let them out on New Year’s Eve.

Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, who was drunk at the time, is accused of taking the keys from a fellow officer and unlocking jail cells at the Leonard Cheelo police station in Lusaka.

In a statement, police said Mr. Phiri “forcibly seized cell keys” from Constable Serah Banda and told the suspects they were “free to cross over into the New Year.”

Of the 15 detainees in custody, 13 escaped. They were being held on charges including assault, robbery, and burglary.

Mr. Phiri also fled the scene after the incident but has since been arrested.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the escaped detainees “remain fugitives” and warned that they could pose a “significant risk to public safety.”

He therefore urged the public to provide any information that could help find them.

“The Zambia Police Service has intensified efforts to locate and apprehend the escapees. We urge members of the public with any information that may assist in locating the suspects to report to the nearest police station,” parts of a statement on Facebook said.

This incident has drawn comparisons to a 1997 case where a judge released 53 suspects due to delayed justice. The phrase “justice delayed is justice denied” was widely shared at the time.

The Zambia Police Service has assured the public that they are committed to maintaining law and order and will take “decisive action” against officers who abuse their authority.

You may be interested in

/
/
/
/
/
/
/