Police in Eastern Province have arrested three suspects and killed three others in a major operation targeting a gang behind a surge of armed robberies in Lundazi, Lumezi and Petauke districts over the past two months.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed at Press Briefing that the criminals were posing as law enforcement officers, carrying handcuffs to gain entry into victims’ homes.
The robberies, carried out by groups armed with AK47 rifles, other firearms and machetes, saw victims robbed of cash and property worth tens of thousands of kwacha.
One victim, Aaron Chipeta, was shot in the stomach.
Acting on intelligence, officers mounted a pre-emptive operation in Sinda district on 20th October targeting a planned robbery of a businessman of Indian origin.
Two suspects, Chisenga Chipeta and Evans Bunda a former police officer were gunned down and an AK47 rifle with seven rounds of ammunition was recovered.
A third suspect, Charles Lwenga, was arrested, while a fourth escaped.
Simon Ng’oma, 41 was later apprehended in Lundazi, where police found three pairs of handcuffs and three National Registration Cards bearing his photograph under different names.
Two others, Cephas Banda and George Banda, were also arrested, while Beauty Ng’oma was detained in Petauke as an accessory.
Police recovered suspected proceeds of crime, including a deep freezer, home theatre system, solar fan, carpet and an unregistered motor bike while investigations continue.
By Samuel Khwawe
