A drunken police officer allegedly released 13 suspects from custody to celebrate New Year’s Eve, prompting outrage and a nationwide manhunt.
Detective Inspector Titus Phiri of Leonard Cheelo Police Post was arrested after forcibly seizing the keys to the cells and freeing detainees on December 31, 2024, at approximately 10:00 AM. According to a statement by the Zambia Police Service, Inspector Phiri, “in a state of intoxication,” took the keys from Woman Constable Serah Banda before unlocking the male and female cells. He reportedly told the detainees they were free to “cross over into the New Year.”
The escapees, who had been accused of crimes ranging from assault to robbery and burglary, remain at large. Out of the 15 suspects initially in custody, 13 managed to flee. Chief Inspector Maiya, Officer-In-Charge at Leonard Cheelo Police Post, reported the incident at 2:30 PM the same day.
Inspector Phiri fled the scene after the incident, disappearing into a nearby compound. He was later apprehended, but the 13 suspects are still on the run. The police have launched a manhunt to recapture the escapees and ensure they are brought to justice.
In a statement, the Zambia Police Service condemned the officer’s actions and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order. “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,” the statement read.
This incident has sparked widespread concern about accountability within the police force, as well as the potential danger posed by the escaped suspects. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to the capture of the fugitives.
As the investigation unfolds, the Zambia Police Service has vowed to take disciplinary action against any officer who undermines the trust and safety of the communities they serve.
I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone
The police force is rotten to the core
Yeah, which calls for a major overhaul. Sadly, there appears no political will to this end.
Officer is a hero.
They should have just freed them all like on Syria, and start allover again.
Rotten? This is the best policeman to be employed in the rotten police force. He has decided to do something about the injustices going on in the country. Well done Officer Phiri! Musamba should leave his seat to you
@Retired constable. Stop justifying the wrongs. You don’t know why and how long those culprits were in cells. You are undermining the work the law enforcement agencies are doing. You had a pieceful festive period because some the offenders were in cells. Be careful what you wish. Tomorrow the same criminals will attack you and then you will start crying ati the Police service is rotten.
Zambia police in chililabombwe are well behaved unless otherwise.
They released by an official from the Police Force so did you expect them to say iyai bwana let’s wait for the court to decide.
Remember as child four friends found a trunk of money in the bush. They shared equally. But one of them didn’t want to ” break law” so he took the money to the police station. The police officers got this money, thanked him, and ordered him to leave. His friends bought bycicles and house hold items.
Kikikikikiki!
They couldn’t even find the kidnapped girls right in their backyard.
LT, be aware this news of an indesplined officer letting off convicts to celebrate New Year is doing round through out the globe. Here you are, projecting a drunk Zambian for illustrative purposes only. The main story is about a drunk police officer on duty and now an ordinary drunk Zambian for the world to view and make their take on Zambia. That is the reason for media regulation as media is incapable of self regulation. Reckless reportage has short legs.
I can’t follow what you are trying to advise LT on
It is hard to understand one drunk man release the prisoners and the other plice offers just stand and watch this ridiculous performance.
Eish ,ati you say “suspects” ? These are no longer suspects but convicts found guilty by a court of law.
Which court did they go to? Who tried them? How can they be convicts when they aren’t convicted by a court of law?
My friend, Enka, the released people were not charged. Neither were they jailed. They were held in police holding cells. Just call them fugitives as they are on the ran.
No. The story says they were awaiting trials. so they are not convicts.
“…… had been accused of crimes ranging from assault to robbery and burglary, remain at large”
This is behavior synonymous with asking Jameson Kachasu Chagwa Agwa Lungu to run Zambia! Much also like tasking a monkey to guard a maize field, the results would be a disaster!
Our country is going down to be honest. We used to be proud of Zambia in service delivery in all sectors and there was discipline. During KK’s time you’d never see an officer on duty drunk, it was actually unthinkable. People took pride in their jobs and there was order. Our police service today is laughable and there’s nobody who can defend them because we all have our eyes to witness the unlawfulness that has destroyed this once powerful institution.
Why did a total of 16 prisoners from southern province escape from prison recently? Does this goes to show how frustrated law enforcement officers have become?