Police in Lusaka have arrested three suspects linked to a string of abduction cases, including one in which a 21-year-old woman was kidnapped and held for ransom before being rescued in a same-day operation.
The victim was recovered on April 17, 2026, after an intelligence-led operation by the Anti-Robbery Squad led officers to Garden House, where the suspects were found with her inside a silver Honda Fit. She was later taken to hospital complaining of general body pains.
The suspects, identified as Simwemba Chiweleni (31), also known as Gerandi Chelo, of Makeni Magwaba; Joseph Lwindi (26) of City Shine; and Gift Mulimba (26) of Kanyama Mbasela, are currently in police custody. The vehicle used in the alleged crime has been impounded, and all of the victim’s belongings have been recovered.
Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi says the incident began earlier that day between 10:00 and 15:30 hours in Zanimuone West and Garden House areas. The case was reported by a 24-year-old man who said his wife had been abducted after boarding a taxi in Zanimuone West, headed toward the SOS area near Heroes Stadium.
Investigations indicate the vehicle initially had four occupants, including a female passenger who later disembarked, leaving the victim alone with three men. As the car traveled along Great North Road toward the central business district, the suspects allegedly overpowered her at Chingwere turn-off, confiscated her phone and handbag, and forced her to lie face down.
The suspects reportedly moved the victim between undisclosed locations while demanding a ransom of K10,000 from her family.
Police say further investigations have linked the same suspects to an earlier abduction on April 13, 2026, in Kabangwe, also in Lusaka. In that case, a 22-year-old university student was abducted and later released after a K9,000 ransom was paid via mobile money.
By Rachel Mumba
