In Nyimba District, Immigration Officers detained 30 male Ethiopian nationals for failing to present themselves to immigration authorities upon entry into the country, along with two Zambian nationals accused of aiding and abetting illegal entry and stay. The Ethiopians were intercepted after police stopped a Lusaka-bound ambulance belonging to Altaf Memorial Hospital at Kacholola Checkpoint.
The ambulance, which approached the checkpoint with sirens activated in an apparent attempt to avoid inspection, was searched by officers, leading to the discovery of the 30 Ethiopians aged between 16 and 25 concealed inside the vehicle. Two Zambians—Boyd Phiri (38), a driver at Altaf Memorial Hospital, and Chikema Samukenge (45), a logistics officer at the same institution—were apprehended in connection with the incident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that only three of the Ethiopian nationals possessed passports, none of which bore immigration endorsements, while the rest were undocumented. Authorities indicated that the group was picked up from Katete. All suspects remain in custody in Nyimba pending further investigations and possible prosecution.
In a separate operation in Siavonga District, a joint team of Immigration and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers apprehended 48 Ethiopian nationals near the Game Primary School area. The group was intercepted while being transported in two Toyota Hiace vehicles, registration numbers CAG 7241 and BBD 3862.
The drivers of the vehicles, believed to be Zambian nationals, fled the scene upon interception, abandoning the vehicles and their occupants. In one incident, a driver reportedly jumped from a moving vehicle, causing it to collide with a tree. Of the 48 individuals apprehended, 28 were in possession of passports without immigration endorsements, while the remaining individuals were undocumented. All are currently detained at Siavonga Police Station as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in Mpika District, a joint operation by Immigration and Police officers followed a tip-off that suspected smugglers were using an illegal route along the TAZAMA Pipeline near Kaole Village in the Lubambala area. Two Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles were intercepted after their drivers fled into nearby bush, leaving behind 20 undocumented Ethiopian nationals. The immigrants have been detained at Mpika Police Station, while the vehicles have been impounded.
The Department of Immigration has commended members of the public for their cooperation and vigilance and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Zambia’s borders in accordance with the Immigration and Deportation Act.
— Namati H. Nshinka
Chief Public Relations Officer
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