Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
A joint team of Immigration and Zambia Police officers has arrested five people in connection with the recent apprehension, abduction and extortion of money from foreign nationals after asking them to produce their immigration documentation.
The five suspects have been identified as Mailoni Mushala, Kelly Harold Czenry, Emmanuel Chileya, Henry Nyerenda, and Ignatious Chonto who were found in possession of Immigration, Police and Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Identity Cards.
A Toyota corona Reg. No.ABF 7271, a pair of handcuffs, Police beacon, a white shirt and cap similar to those used by the Immigration department used in the commissioning of the crimes were also recovered from the suspects.
The suspects had been threatening their victims with false imprisonment to the extent of driving them near Police stations or prisons so as to instill fear in them and force them to give in to their demands.
The suspects are in custody and have been charged with extortion, theft by Public Servant, Forgery and Utterly, Obtaining Money by false pretences and impersonation.
The Police and the Immigration Department have taken note that these are not by any means isolated incidents as they have come across a number of robberies, kidnappings and extortions committed in similar manner in Lusaka in the past few months.
The two law enforcement agencies are in the light of this development appealing to members of the public who may have fallen victim to the suspects to come forward and identify them.
Members of the public have also been called upon to be on the lookout for conmen masquerading as law enforcement officers and report them to the nearest police station.
This is contained in a statement jointly released to Qfm News by the Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga Chanda and her counterpart at the Department of Immigration Namati Nshinka.