A 21-year-old man has been arrested in Mufumbwe District for allegedly abducting a nine-year-old girl from her home in the Kamabuta area.
The suspect, identified as Jerad Kawanga of Chalimbana area, was apprehended by members of the community after the girl’s mother pursued him and raised an alarm.
According to police public relations officer Chipo Kaitisha, the incident was reported by the girl’s mother, 33-year-old Everlyn Munsangala, on October 21, 2026.
Police say the girl was sleeping on a mat in the same room as her mother when the incident occurred at around 01:00 hours.
The mother was reportedly awakened by her daughter’s screams for help and the sound of footsteps.
Upon checking, she discovered that the child was missing and that the living room door and a window had been left wide open.
She immediately rushed outside and allegedly saw a man fleeing with her daughter on his shoulders.
During the pursuit, the suspect reportedly dropped the child, whom the mother found with her mouth tied with a piece of chitenge material and wrapped in a curtain taken from their house.
The mother continued shouting for help, prompting community members to join the chase and apprehend the suspect.
Police say the girl sustained neck pain, a headache and bruising to her right elbow.
The suspect is currently in police custody, while investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Police have not yet established the motive behind the incident.
By Edna Mwiimbi
