Three escapee suspects have died in Nakonde District of Muchinga Province after they were hit by stray bullets, while trying to escape from lawful custody together with other suspects at Nakonde Police Station.
The incident happened yesterday Saturday, January 24th, 2026, when 10 suspects facing various offences such as murder and other felonies escaped from lawful custody through the main grill door leading to different cells.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Denis Moola, who confirmed the development in a press statement issued to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali this morning, said the three deceased suspects were hit by stray bullets when warning shots were fired to stop the fugitives who were running in different directions.
Mr Moola said brief facts are that on Saturday 24th January, 2026 around 14:30hrs, Kapambwe Chongo and three other officers were on duty and whilst working during feeding time, the main grill door was opened to enable two suspects to get a pot of food which was prepared from outside the cells so that the other suspects in custody could feed.
Mr Moola alleged that as reported by Constable Chongo, two suspects were called during feeding time to collect a pot of food from the entrance and in the process other suspects came out from various cells and grabbed the officer, allowing others to escape and run into different directions.
The Provincial Police Commissioner stated that some warning shots were fired to stop the escapees from running away but they continued, and in an effort to stop them, unfortunately three of them were caught by stray bullets.
He said the three were immediately rushed to Nakonde District Hospital for treatment but later died due to injuries.
Mr Moola added that four others have been recaptured alive while three others are still at large, adding that Police has since launched a manhunt.
He has therefore appealed to community members to report any suspicious person to the police without delay as investigations on the case are in progress.
